There are 63 tombs in this location with more expected to be discovered this winter! Only 8 are open at any one time and the admission ticket allows you to choose 3 to visit. The ticket for King Tut's tomb, which houses his mummy, is an extra fee (100 LE). We chose our three and were amazed at the vibrant colors inside; sadly no pictures are allowed. The tombs are decorated from floor to ceiling and from front to back; in the back stood the sarcophagus which held the mummy. Side rooms would hold all the riches that were buried with the King. Most of the tombs were looted long ago. King Tut's tomb was under another tomb; when the tomb above was robbed, no one realized there was another tomb below and that is why we have the magnificent remains from King Tut's tomb. He was actually a rather minor king, having lived only a short time; you can only imagine what riches must have been left in the other tombs of the more important kings!
The artifacts from Tut's tomb are in the Museum of Antiquities in Cairo and include the famous golden mask, several beds, several chariots, lots of jewelry, jugs which had contained oils and wine.
Nearby we visited the Valley of the Nobles to visit the tomb of Ra-Moses (1700 BC) who was the mayor of Thebes during the reign of Akhenaton. This king turned away from the worship of many gods to the worship of one god, who was pictured as the rays of the sun. The tomb was left unfinished because Ra-Moses moved away, following his king, and the tomb was never used. The wife of Akhenaton was the famous Nephertiti and his son was King Tut. After Akhenaton's death, worship of multiple gods returned, probably because the Priests benefited, and his image everywhere was destroyed.
In all the tombs raised relief, the most difficult and time-consuming decoration, was done while the King was still living and healthy. When he was older or more sickly, sunken relief was used to hurry along the work. Painting was done after his death, since that was the quickest form of decoration. From the date of his death until he was entombed was 102 days: 72 days to mummify him and 30 days of processions.
On the decoration, a leopard skin indicates royalty. The bare breasts of the women indicate motherhood - the women did not appear bare-breasted in life. In ancient times, Egyptians wore white for mourning; black was introduced later by the Romans.
From journal An Unforgettable 10 Days in Egypt