Valley of the Kings in Egypt - rock stone complexes and tombs

The Valley of the Kings, also known as Biban el-Muluk, is one of the most important and fascinating places in Egypt. It is here, in the rocky gorges of Western Thebes, that Egyptian pharaohs and important state dignitaries were buried for over 500 years. This mystical valley hides not only a rich history, but also many secrets that still fascinate archaeologists and tourists from all over the world.

History of the Valley of the Kings

For 1,700 years, the Egyptians buried their dead in pyramids and tombs, which were often exposed to robbery. In response to these threats, Pharaoh Thutmose I decided to move his resting place to a more hidden location - a rocky valley called Biban el-Muluk. This began the era of tomb construction in the Valley of the Kings, which lasted from the 16th to the 11th century B.C.

The beginnings of excavations and sensational discoveries

At the beginning of the 19th century, archaeologists began intensive excavations in the Valley of the Kings. Unfortunately, most of the tombs had already been plundered by thieves. For many years it was believed that all the graves had been discovered, until the English archaeologist Howard Carter made one of the most sensational discoveries in the history of archeology.

In 1922, Carter discovered the almost intact tomb of Pharaoh Tutankhamun, full of incredible treasures that had survived thousands of years. The tomb found, among others: a golden sarcophagus, diadems, masks, jewels, statues, chariots, weapons and ornaments. Their number was so huge that it took over three years to remove them all.

Richly decorated tombs

Most of the tombs in the Valley of the Kings were richly decorated with wall paintings that depicted the lives of deceased pharaohs, scenes from the Book of the Dead, and images of the afterlife. These paintings not only served as decorations, but also had deep religious meaning. It was believed that they helped the pharaoh's soul on its journey to the afterlife and ensured him eternal happiness.

These paintings are extremely interesting because they show the everyday life of the Egyptians, scenes of the sun god's night journey through the underworld in his barge, and figures of gods and goddesses with animal heads. Every detail of these paintings has its own meaning and is full of symbolism, which makes them an invaluable source of knowledge about ancient Egypt.

Fascinating facts about the Valley of the Kings

The Valley of the Kings hides many fascinating facts and curiosities that attract tourists and researchers from all over the world. Currently, there are 64 tombs in the valley, each of which has its own unique history and meaning. Although most of them were plundered in the past, we can still admire their architecture and the remains of rich decorations.

Religious and cultural significance

The Valley of the Kings was a place of great religious and cultural importance to the ancient Egyptians. It was believed that this was the place where pharaohs passed to eternal life and gained divine immortality. Each tomb was designed in such a way as to provide the pharaoh with protection from evil spirits and enable him to travel peacefully to the afterlife.

Mysteries and unsolved puzzles

Despite numerous research and discoveries, the Valley of the Kings still hides many secrets. One of the most fascinating mysteries is tomb KV62, i.e. the tomb of Tutankhamun. Although the pharaoh himself died young and did not have time to achieve great achievements, his tomb is one of the richest and best preserved in the valley. To this day, it is not known why this tomb escaped the fate of others and was not plundered by thieves.

Contemporary research and heritage protection

Modern archaeological research in the Valley of the Kings focuses not only on the discovery of new tombs, but also on the protection and conservation of existing ones. Modern technologies, such as 3D scanning and geophysical research, allow for a more detailed examination of the structure of tombs and the discovery of hidden chambers.

Tourism in the Valley of the Kings

The Valley of the Kings is one of the most important tourist points in Egypt. Every year it attracts thousands of tourists from all over the world who want to see with their own eyes the resting places of the pharaohs and feel the atmosphere of ancient Egypt. Although access to some tombs is limited, many of them are open to visitors, and their interiors delight with rich decorations and paintings.

Exceptional discoveries and future research

Modern research in the Valley of the Kings focuses not only on the protection of existing tombs, but also on the search for new discoveries. Archaeologists are constantly working to unravel the secrets hidden in the valley and discover more fragments of the history of ancient Egypt.

Ending

The Valley of the Kings is a place that fascinates and inspires. It is here, in the rocky gorges of Western Thebes, that pharaohs and important dignitaries were buried for centuries, believing that they would find eternal peace and divine immortality here. Archaeological discoveries such as Tutankhamun's tomb remind us of the richness and complexity of ancient Egyptian culture and of humanity's enduring fascination with the mysteries of the past. The Valley of the Kings still hides many mysteries waiting to be discovered, and each visit to this magical place is a journey back in time to the world of pharaohs and ancient beliefs.