Sunday 18 March 2012

The Valley Of The Kings




Theban Hills, Egypt

Secluded amidst this bone-dry scenery, the large necropolis was intended as the ultimate insurance policy of life eternal. These secretive tombs of New Kingdom pharaos were planned to preserve their mummies and funerary impedimenta for eternity.

Most tombs are being damaged by visitors' breath and poor ventilation, causing damaging fungus to develop, and are currently closed. Cameras are no longer allowed. Glad I visited the place years ago! :-)

This might be the most famous and disappointing tomb as it's just an empty chamber. All treasures are on display at the Cairo Museum and they are fabulous!
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This post is linked to Taphophile Tragics

23 comments:

Lowell said...

I would love to visit this place sometime. I wonder if the ancient Egyptians actually believed there was some sort of afterlife in which the kings would rise again?

I've heard of King Tut's tomb, but have never seen it! Thanks!

Sylvia K said...

Awesome! I've always wanted to visit there!! And, as always, your photos are the very next best thing to being there myself!! Thank you for sharing, JM! Have a lovely evening!

Sylvia

Sérgio Pontes said...

O Egipto deve ser um lugar maravilhoso para se visitar. Abraço

Teamgsquare said...

Third pictures is just awesome ......

Andrea said...

JM, i always envy your travels and photos and these are not exemptions. I think i haven't seen this site in others' photos.

Stickup Artist said...

Isn't that something? Good thing to know incase I ever make it out of this desert into that one. Which would be fine by me!

Melbourne Australia Photos said...

It's an amazing place! Have been there twice and would gladly return for another visit.

Diane said...

Thanks for sharing these photos. A place I have never been to and not likely to go to now:( Diane

Cezar and Léia said...

Lugar pleno de historia, e suas fotos estão maravilhosas, espero um dia visitar o Egito!
abraços
Léia

Haddock said...

One day I will visit this place.
Something not to be missed.

FilipBlog said...

Wauw, I haven't been there and I didn't think it was so big.

Greetings,
Filip

Julie said...

There are just so many fabulous places in this world, Jose, and you seen to have been to many of them. Good. On. You.

That is sad about the breathing and the 'on display' causing fungus to develop. But to be expected really. I think, in the very near future, many places of antiquity, and indeed perilous natural sites of wonder, will be off-linits to the travelling public, and we will have to satisfy ourselves with documentaries created by the few.

Thank you for contributing your trip to the Valley of the Kings to Taphophile Tragics this week, Jose. Most appreciated.

Ann said...

Amazing place. I've been there but can't remember whether cameras were allowed or not. In those days I was terribly cheap and didn't take the camera in if you had to pay a camera fee. Would love to go back.

hamilton said...

That is an interesting point about the tourists breath being so destructive!

Joe said...

Would love to visit this place.

Joan Elizabeth said...

I do enjoy seeing what you will pick each week.

Art said...

Awesome! I've always wanted to visit there!
Fantastic pictures you have taken!

SM said...

nice place
beautiful shots

Oakland Daily Photo said...

The same thing happened to the neolithic cave paintings in France and Spain. Most are closed to the public now. I think my claustrophobia would keep me out of the pharoahs' tombs anyway. Your pictures may be as close as I get.

Sondra said...

How exciting it must be to be a world traveler...you have seen some amazing places and this is no exception...IM also glad you got the photos before they stopped it. IT really is DRY for real!! Great photos.

Dave-CostaRicaDailyPhoto.com said...

When we were there several years ago they had some of King Tut's relics temporarily on display in his tomb. It was fantastic and not an empty chamber.

Halcyon said...

What a fantastic place. I hope I make it there someday.

Francisca said...

I bet you did a bit of walking this day! Pity our breath is so destructive... and Tut's grave empty!