Explore the Valley of the Kings, a historic burial site near Luxor, Egypt, where pharaohs and nobles of the New Kingdom were laid to rest in rock-cut tombs adorned with vivid Egyptian mythology scenes

The Valley of the Kings, also called Wadi el-Muluk in Arabic, is an historic site located on the west bank of the Nile near Luxor in Egypt.
It was said to be the burial ground for many pharaohs during the New Kingdom period, roughly from the 16th century BC to around 1075 BC. Over nearly 500 years, rock-cut tombs were excavated here for pharaohs and powerful nobles.
The valley is divided into two main sections: the East Valley, where most royal tombs are situated, and the West Valley, also known as the Valley of the Monkeys.
The Pyramids and the Valley of the Kings
The Valley of the Kings, while it is famous for being the burial site of pharaohs and nobles from Egypt's New Kingdom, have you ever wondered where the pharaohs of the Old Kingdom were laid to rest?
These ancient rulers of the Old Kingdom found their final resting place in the iconic pyramids, which remain some of the most enduring symbols of ancient Egyptian civilization. The new Kingdom pharaohs chose the Valley of the Kings over pyramids to avoid tomb robbery. The valley's hidden location provided better security for their eternal resting places.
The pyramids were monumental tombs built around 2686–2181 BCE. They served as burial places for pharaohs and their queens. The pyramids were designed as massive structures while the valley of the kings contain rock-cut tombs hidden in the desert cliffs.
Facts About The Valley of The Kings
The Valley of the Kings contains 62 known tombs; only 11 of the tombs, however, are completely recorded. Among the most famous tombs in the valley, is the tomb of Tutankhamun, also known as King Tut.
The Tutankhamun intact tomb was unearthed in 1922 by a British archaeologist called Howard Carter. Treasures such as the golden mask were however found in it.
In 1799, members of Napoleon's expedition to Egypt (especially Vivant Denon) meticulously mapped the known tombs in the valley. For the first time, they noted the existence of the Western Valley, where Prosper Jollois and Édouard de Villiers du Terrage located the tomb of Amenhotep III (WV22).
In 1979, the Valley of the Kings became a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Despite the tomb exploration that took place in centuries, the valley continues to yield surprises. In 2005, archaeologists found KV 63, the valley’s first unknown tomb since Tutankhamun’s tomb discovery. This hints that more hidden tombs await to be explored.
Implications of the Valley of the Kings
The ancient Egyptians believed in the concept of the afterlife and preserving the pharaoh's body as a vessel for their soul.
This was why they built burial places and performed elaborate rituals and burial practices to reflect their beliefs while trying to preserve the divine powers of pharaohs and their nobles. The pharaohs and other notable elites figures buried in the tombs of the valley include:
Tutankhamun:
The discovery of Tutankhamun's tomb by Howard Carter in 1922 captivated the world. His golden mask and treasures remain iconic symbols of ancient Egypt.
Ramses II:
Egyptian Museum, Cairo; photograph, O. Louis Mazzatenta/National Geographic Image Collection
Also known as Ramses the Great, he ruled for over six decades and left behind impressive monuments, including his tomb in the Valley of the Kings.
Seti I:
His tomb is renowned for its intricate decorations and religious texts. Other kings whose tombs are discovered are Tuthmosis III and Queen Nefertari. Tuthmosis III was a powerful pharaoh who expanded Egypt's empire and built a magnificent tomb. Queen Nefertari was the beloved wife of Ramses II, and her tomb featured stunning wall paintings and hieroglyphs.
Conclusion
The initial burial place in the Old Egyptian Kingdom was the pyramids. Due to tomb robbery acts, it was shifted from the pyramids to the Valley of Kings—a desert cliff of hidden rock-cut tombs in the New Egyptian Kingdom to reduce the tomb robbery activities and secure the treasures and bodies of their kings.
The rock-cut tombs are filled and decorated with religious texts, spells, and scenes from Egyptian mythology. The main significance of the valley is that it serves as a gateway to the afterlife, preserving the divine powers of the kings.