KV16, Ancient tomb in Valley of the Kings, Egypt.
KV16 is a royal burial chamber in the Valley of the Kings that extends about 50 meters underground through carved corridors and multiple chambers. The walls throughout are covered with hieroglyphic inscriptions and religious symbols that were carefully cut into the stone.
This burial chamber was built during the New Kingdom as a royal tomb and went through multiple construction phases to reach its final form. Scholars from the 19th century onward investigated and recorded the site, adding to our understanding of how pharaohs were buried.
The wall paintings inside show how ancient Egyptians imagined the afterlife, with scenes meant to guide the pharaoh through the underworld. These images functioned as visual instructions for the journey ahead.
Access is through organized tours of the Valley of the Kings, best visited between October and April when temperatures are moderate. Visitors should be prepared for heat in the lower chambers and wear comfortable shoes, as the path involves several staircases and narrow passages.
The chamber shows construction methods that differ from other royal tombs, suggesting builders adapted their approach while work was underway. These distinctive features give scholars clues about how building techniques and burial standards shifted during the ruling period.
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