KV47, Ancient Egyptian tomb in the Valley of the Kings, Luxor, Egypt
KV47 is an ancient Egyptian tomb cut into the limestone cliffs of the Valley of the Kings, near Luxor. Its corridors lead through several chambers whose walls are covered in painted religious scenes and hieroglyphic inscriptions depicting the afterlife.
The tomb was built during the New Kingdom, roughly between 1550 and 1069 BCE, when pharaohs were considered divine and burial rituals reached great complexity. The decoration style reflects the artistic conventions that royal workshops had developed over many generations.
The walls carry texts from the Book of the Dead, showing how ancient Egyptians understood the passage after death and what divine protection meant to them. These writings were not decoration but were seen as essential guides for the soul on its journey.
Entry to this tomb requires a separate ticket that is not included in the standard Valley of the Kings pass, so it is worth checking at the ticket office before heading in. The passages inside are narrow and can be poorly lit, so solid footwear and a small torch can help.
Water has entered the tomb several times over the centuries, leaving mineral deposits on the walls that now sit alongside the original painted surfaces. In some spots it is hard to tell where the ancient pigment ends and the natural traces begin.
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