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| Entrance to the Valley of the Queens |
This was the purple necropolis of the New Kingdom (1550–1070 B.C.E.),
located southwest of Medinet Habu on the western prop of the Nile at Thebes. The site
was called Ta-set-neferu, “the Direct of the Royal Children,” in the
ancient periods and is now called Biban el-Harim, “the Doors of the Women,” or
Biban el-Melikat, “the Doors of the Daughters,” in Arabic. The
queens, princes, and princesses of
the New
Kingdom were buried here. The necropolis is considered to contain
70 tombs. Located in an arid wadi, the site was got first
on the south
hill and then
on the northwest side.
The about famous tomb of the Valley of the Queens
was constructed for Queen Nefertari- Merymut, the Great Wife of Ramses II (r. 1290–1224 B.C.E.). This
site has columned chambers,
stairs, ramps, and
an offering hall with shelves and a sepulture chamber
with four pillars and three
annexes. Elaborately decorated
with polychrome reliefs, the tomb
pictures Queen Nefertari-Merymut in the regular
funerary settings but also
portrays her in
everyday scenes of mortal life. The Bennu (phoenix) and the Aker
lions are as well
exposed. “The Great
Wives” of the New Kingdom all have tombs in this necropolis.
The tombs of
the royal sons
of the New
Kingdom Period include the resting place of Amenhirkhopshef (1), the son
of King Ramses III (r. 1194–1163 B.C.E.). This tomb has a rage, three chambers,
and two wings, all painted with scenes
and cultic symbols.
A vestibule was
part of the design. The tomb of
Kha’Emweset (2), another prince of the dynasty and likewise a son of Ramses
III, is in the Valley of the Queens as well. This
is designed with three chambers, two
extensions, and a
ramp. The walls
are treated with painted eases. Some officials of the
Eighteenth Dynasty (1550–1307 B.C.E.) were given the honor of having small pit
tombs in the Valley of
the Queens. Other
princesses and princes were likewise provided with similar
pit tombs.
List of the Tombs of Valley of the Queens:
QV8 Hori [ disambiguation needed ] and a King's Daughter
QV17 Merytre and Wermeryotes
QV30[3] Nebiri
QV31[3] Anonymous
QV33[3] Tanedjemet
QV34 Anonymous
QV36[3] Anonymous
QV38[3] Sitre
QV40[3] Anonymous
QV42[3] Pareherwenemef
QV43[3] Seth-her-khopsef
QV44[3] Khaemwaset
QV46[3] Imhotep
QV47[3] Ahmose
QV51[3] Iset Ta-Hemdjert
QV52[3] Tyti
QV53[3] Ramses Meryamen
QV55[3] Amun-her-khepeshef
QV58 Anonymous
QV60[3] Nebettawy
QV66[3] Nefertari
QV68[3] Meritamun
QV70 Nehesy
QV71[3] Bintanath
QV72 Neferhat / Baki
QV73[3] Henuttawy
QV74[3] (Dua)Tentopet
QV75[3] Henutmire
QV76 Merytre
QV80 Queen (Mut-)Tuy
QV81 Heka[...]
QV82 Minemhat and Amenhotep
QV88 Ahmose