Valley of The Queens: A Magical Journey Through Egypt’s Regal Past

The Valley of the Queens, called Champollion, is located to the southwest of the Valley of the Kings and contains the tombs of many of the wives and children of kings. Although it was used as a burial site in the Eighteenth Dynasty, it was only during the reign of the Nineteenth Dynasty pharaoh Ramesses I that royal wives were buried here. Of the nearly 80 tombs inhabiting the valley, the most famous is that of Queen Nefertari, only a few of which are open to the public at any given time.

Valley of the Queens Location

 

The Valley of the Queens is situated in the city of Luxor on the west bank of the Nile River and is part of a group of tombs called ancient Thebes and its tombs alongside the Valley of the Kings.

The Tomb of Amunherkhepshep

The elegant and well-preserved tomb of Prince Amunherkhepshep (Amun), son of Ramesses III, was a highlight of the Valley of the Queens until the reopening of Nefertari’s tomb. Amun could have succeeded his father as pharaoh, but he died when he was a child and was buried in this royal cemetery.

From the entrance, stairs lead to the tomb hall, which contains beautiful, brightly colored frescoes of Ramesses accompanying his young son on a visit to honor the gods of the underworld.

Amun is easily recognizable because he is wearing the special braided hairstyle of a prince. A corridor decorated with the Keepers of the Gates leads to the burial chamber, where the skeleton of a five-month-old fetus is on display in a glass cupboard. Fetuses have been found in other burial chambers and may have been placed there as part of the ceremonial rebirth.

Amon is easily recognizable as he wears the prince’s signature braided hairstyle. A decorated corridor guarding the gates leads to the burial chamber, where the skeleton of a five-month-old fetus is displayed in a glass cabinet. Fetuses have been found in other burial chambers and may have been placed there as part of rebirth rituals.

The Tomb of Tanedjemet

 

Although archaeologists and Egyptologists have shed a lot of light on ancient Egypt, the truth is that in many cases it remains a real mystery. It is not unusual for them to find from time to time hidden places, strange manuscripts, or even unknown tombs of unknown people, which slightly changes the order of the kings and queens of the dynasties.

This is the case of Tanedjemet, the princess and queen believed to have lived in the Nineteenth Dynasty, although this fact cannot be confirmed.

This name was not fully known until they found a small tomb in the Valley of the Queens. Grave QV33. There was absolutely no document or representation of this mysterious woman, and nothing that could help Egyptologists determine the location of the mummy in a specific period. For this reason, it was initially thought to date back to the Twentieth Dynasty, although they eventually chose the Nineteenth Dynasty.

Her name seems to indicate that she could be the daughter of Horemheb, the last pharaoh of the Eighteenth Dynasty in Egypt, the result of his union with the great royal wife, Queen Mutenjmet.

If these data are correct, as they are only hypotheses, Tanedyemy would have played an essential role in changing the dynasty, because she would have married a pharaoh from the next dynasty.

This would be due to the truth that her father did not have any male children. Therefore, changing the throne could only take place through his minister, Ramesses I. Although the king could easily appoint his successor, the truth was that in the relationship between the two there must be some kind of family relationship. For this reason, it was not strange in these circumstances for the chosen man to marry one of Pharaoh’s daughters.

The problem Is that although you can see in his tomb that he held the title of Great Royal Wife, the truth is that Ramesses I was too old to raise offspring, plus he was only known by his wife Sitra, his mother. Wife for life.

Thus, it is possible that Tanedjemet, instead of marrying Ramesses, married his son Sethy I.

Once again, the passage of time becomes insurmountable in order to spot some light on this story, which, like many others, is set centuries ago in the tomb-filled valleys of ancient Egypt.

The Tomb of Khaemwaset in the Valley of the Queens

 

The tomb of Khaemweset, one of the sons of Ramesses III, No. QV 44, in the Valley of the Queens on the western mainland of Luxor – formerly Thebes. It was discovered in the early twentieth century, and contains a large number of coffins accumulated in the entrance corridor. This was a clear sign that they were used for shared burials.

One of the most important roles of Khaemweset was the priest of Ptah in Memphis. His important titles were “sem priest”, as indicated by the reliefs in the Medinet Habu temple.

It Is possible that he was the eldest son of Ramesses III, and the latest information indicates that his mother may have been Queen Tyti, but it is unknown because he did not ascend to the throne; Khaemweset probably died not during the reign of Ramesses III, but later during the reign of his brother Ramesses IV

The walls of the tomb are distinguished by relief decorations, and the painted colors remain in exceptional and very elegant condition. This tomb follows a straight axis with a descending entrance corridor leading to the first main hall and vestibule. Upon entering the vestibule, on the left is an portrait of Ptah followed by a scene of Ramesses III and Khaemwaset in front of Anubis and  Re Harajty. On the right wall of this room is the king carrying sacrifices to Ptah Sokar, along with a representation of him and Khaemwaset offering incense offerings to Geb before the god Shu receives him.

From here one enters the burial chamber, and the first thing one finds are chapters 145 to 146 to the left of the Book of the Dead. Another scene shows Ramesses III followed by the prince, and several scenes of the geniuses who were guarding the gates of the kingdom of Osiris.

The Tomb of Nefertari

 

Nefertari’s tomb is located in the Valley of the Queens in Luxor, and it is extremely beautiful, deserving of its place in history. The decorations on the walls and ceilings are mythological and deal with life in the underworld, encounters with gods, goddesses, jinn, and monsters, and entry into the kingdom of immortality.

Nefertari appears wearing white clothes, wearing a golden eagle headdress with two long feathers, and decorated with precious jewelry such as bracelets and a wide gold necklace.

At the entrance door to the cemetery, Isis and Nephthys appear in the form of a falcon on the left, and Nejgbet and Wadjet on the right.

The outer hall is square in shape, with a bench to support the funeral apparatus, and above it is an inscription from the Book of the Dead and various scenes.

On the left, the Queen is shown on the throne, holding what looks like a magic wand in her right hand. In another scene, a bird with the head of a queen appears, which is the Egyptian representation of the individual soul.

In the scene, the queen appears kneeling, with her hands raised in worship towards two lions, between which the disk of the sun appears. The two lions represent the past and the future, and the bird “Benu” represents the sacred bird of Heliopolis.

The temple Is surrounded by representations of the goddesses Isis and Nephthys, showing scenes with a coffin in the center containing a jackal, surrounded by mummy figures.

On the western wall there are pictures, showing Nefertari paying respect to the god Thoth, and on his left side there is a large text from the Book of the Dead.

From the outer hall one enters the corridor leading to the tomb, which appears beautifully decorated and the upper parts of the corridors are arranged in the same way, where Nefertari offers two bowls of milk to the goddesses Isis and Hathor.

This corridor leads to the cemetery, after the funeral ceremony and where the final transition to the burial chamber takes place.

The burial chamber is a large rectangular room with four large columns, on one side two rooms and a small inner room whose function is unknown.

The walls of the entrance to the burial chamber are decorated with four deities and texts from the Book of the Dead. On one of the walls of the room, Nefertari appears in the shape of a mummy.

The Best time to visit the Valley of the Queens

 

Is not as crowded or busy as the Valley of the Kings, so you can visit the valley at any time. In summer, it is best to visit the Queen Valley in the early morning or later afternoon. During the winter, whenever you want, from 07.00 a.m. to 17.00 p.m. Consider having water, comfortable shoes, sunscreen, a hat, and sunglasses.

Tickets

During your visit to the Valley of the Queens, you will need to purchase an entrance ticket to the Valley of the Queens, including entry to 3 tombs. The ticket office is at the entrance to the parking lot or the first shop in the shop line in the area.

Entrance fees to the Valley of the Queens

Adults: 100 Egyptian pounds ($)

Students with valid cards: 50 Egyptian pounds ($)

Children from 6 to 12 years: 50 Egyptian pounds ($)

Children under 6 years: free.

Conclusion

The Valley of the Queens, located near Karnak in Luxor, served as the burial site for members of the royal family during the 19th and 20th dynasties of ancient Egypt. This necropolis is most famously associated with Ramses II, one of the most powerful pharaohs, who built a grand mortuary temple nearby.

The Valley was designed to honor queens and royal consorts, distinguishing it from the Valley of the Kings, which primarily housed pharaohs.

Here, the tombs are richly decorated with intricate paintings and inscriptions that depict the journey to the afterlife, offering a glimpse into the beliefs and customs of the time.

The 20th dynasty saw the construction of several notable tombs, reflecting the artistic and architectural achievements of the period. Today, the Valley of the Queens remains a testament to the grandeur of ancient Egyptian civilization and its reverence for royalty.

FAQ about  Valley of the Queens

Why is the Valley of the Queens famous?

The Valley of the Queens, or the “Place of Beauty” as it was known in ancient times, is the burial site of the wives and princesses of the New Kingdom of Egypt. More than 60 tombs have been discovered in the Valley of the Queens, although few are currently open to the public.

What is the difference between Valley of the Kings and Valley of the Queens?

There are some differences between the Valley of the Kings and the Valley of the Queens. Above them, the Valley of the Kings is more majestic, royal and larger, although some of the tombs were designed by the same talented workers who worked in the two valleys.

Who is buried in the Valley of the Queens?

Many high-ranking wives of Ramesses I, Seti I, and Ramesses II were buried in the valley. One of the most famous examples is the rock-cut resting place of Queen Nefertari (1290-1224 BC).

Is Valley of the Queens worth visiting?

The Valley of the Queens contains more than 75 royal tombs. You’ll find a host of queens, princesses and princes buried here, and one of Egypt’s most elaborate tombs – Nefertari’s Tomb (No. 66) – is also located within this valley.

How were Egyptian queens buried?

The most important object in Early Dynasty royal tombs was the sarcophagus, an open, rectangular container with a special, highly decorated lid, to hold the mummified bodies of queens and kings. Tombs contain burial items such as jewelry, food, toys, and other personal items of the deceased person.

Is Hatshepsut In the Valley of the Queens?

Across the West Bank in Luxor and next to the world-famous Valley of the Kings is the lesser-known Valley of the Queens, which has its own unique history and architecture. The main attraction is the temple of Hatshepsut who was the only female pharaoh in pharaonic history.