Valley of the Queens, Ancient burial site in Luxor Governorate, Egypt.
The Valley of the Queens is a necropolis with about 91 tombs carved into limestone cliffs on the west bank of the Nile near Luxor. These burial chambers contain corridors and rooms where queens, princes, and officials were laid to rest.
The valley was created during the New Kingdom between 1550 and 1070 BCE as a royal burial site. It developed over several centuries as an important center for laying royal family members to rest.
The painted walls show Egyptian gods and scenes of royal life that reflect how ancient people understood the journey to the afterlife. Walking through the tombs, you can see these beliefs expressed in the careful details that decorate every surface.
Access to some tombs is limited because restoration work continues and not all chambers are open to visitors. It helps to walk the site early in the morning to avoid heat and get better light inside the dark burial chambers.
The tomb of Queen Nefertari stands out for its unusually large painted surfaces with detailed portraits showing the queen in royal jewels. The color vibrancy and clarity of the facial features in this tomb have remained remarkably preserved.
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