Valley of the Kings

necropolis in ancient Egypt

The Valley of the Kings (Arabic: وادي الملوك Wādī al Mulūk) is a valley in Egypt. From the 16th to 11th centuries BC, tombs were built there for the Pharaohs and powerful nobles.[1][2]

Location of the valley in the Theban Hills, west of the Nile, October 1988 (red arrow shows location)

The valley is on the west bank of the Nile across from Luxor.[3] Some of the people buried there are:

The valley is one of the most famous archaeological sites in the world. In 1979 it became a World Heritage Site, with the rest of the Theban Necropolis.[4] Exploration, excavation and conservation continues in the valley, and a new tourist centre has recently been opened.

Panorama of the valley, looking north

Geology and climate change

 
Stratigraphy of the valley

There is little year-round rain in this part of Egypt, but there are rare flash floods that hit the valley. These tons of debris into the open tombs.[5]

References change

  1. Maspero, Gaston (1913). Manual of Egyptian Archaeology, Sixth English Edition. H. Grevel and Co. p. 182. ISBN 1-4219-4169-4.
  2. "Theban Mapping Project". Theban Mapping Project. Retrieved 2006-12-04.
  3. Siliotti, Alberto (1997). Guide to the Valley of the Kings. Barnes and Noble. p. 13. ISBN 88-8095-496-2.
  4. "Ancient Thebes and its necropolis". UNESCO Work Heritage Sites. Retrieved 2006-12-04.
  5. Sampsell, Bonnie M. 2003. A traveler's guide to the geology of Egypt. Cairo: American University Press, p78. ISBN 977-424-785-X

Further reading change