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The Valley of the Kings bundle

Early in the 18th dynasty the Valley of the Kings was chosen as the site for a new royal cemetery. The rationale behind the move to this virgin site is vague – with the most compelling reasons being those of security and sanctity. The Valley of the Kings is divided into two distinct areas – the main eastern branch, containing the bulk of the royal tombs; and a subsidiary branch – the western valley, in which just three royal tombs have been unearthed. Overall, there are 65 numbered tombs – the latest of which was discovered as recently as 2008. Of the 32 kings who ruled Egypt during the three dynasties of the New Kingdom, no less than 26 were definitely laid to rest here.

By exploring the tombs of Tuthmosis III, Horemheb and Ramesses IV/V/VI one gets a strong sense of the developments taking place in royal funerary architecture during the New Kingdom (18th – 20th dynasties) – a transition from the dog-legged tomb of Tuthmosis through to the perfectly defined straight-axis tombs of the later 20th dynasty. These beautifully decorated royal tombs are also a rich source for the study of funerary texts, containing all the major religious compositions in use during this unique period in history.