Royal Wadi and tombs

The Royal Wadi and tombs form a burial ground in Amarna containing several tombs carved deep into limestone cliffs. The main royal tomb extends far into the rock with side chambers where family members and officials were laid to rest.

This burial ground was created during an unusual period when a king moved Egypt's capital to Amarna and built these tombs for his family. After his death, the city fell into disuse, which helped protect the graves from later disturbance.

The tomb walls show carefully carved scenes of religious rituals and royal ceremonies that reveal what mattered most to people of that era. These images tell you how the royal family saw their relationship with the gods and the afterlife.

A paved road leads to the main tomb, and the site is open for visitors to explore the chambers. Sturdy shoes are recommended since the ground is rocky, and it is wise to avoid heavy rain seasons when paths can become slippery.

A dating document found in one of the side chambers shows that people continued to visit these tombs long after the city was founded. This finding is surprising because it proves the site held some meaning even after Amarna had been abandoned.