Visit Egypt > Valley of the Kings photo gallery

The Valley of the Kings is known as the location of the tombs of many New Empire pharaohs. It was believed to have been chosen for two reasons: the pyramidical shape of the mountain that overlooks it, and its access which made it easy to watch and protect.

When you enter the tombs, it's hard not to feel a slight apprehension. The dark entrance into the rocks, stairs or steep corridor, poorly lit with dry, hot, stuffy air and the figures painted on the walls who seem to lead you down into the belly of the earth. Not for the claustraphobic. Here and there are wells, false doors and dead ends meant to deter grave robbers, but which proved futile given their lust for gold. The sarcophagus of Tutankhamen alone weighed a ton: one ton of fine gold adorned with precious stones.

To date, 63 tombs have been identified, the latest on February 7, 2006 by a team of American archeologists from the University of Memphis.