Activities in Ancient Luxor

Thutmose IV tomb Luxor KV 43 Egypt tours, prices, booking

Thutmose IV tomb Luxor KV 43 sited high in the southern cliff of the Valley of Kings. In fact, it discovered in 1903 by Howard Carter. The tomb stripped of valuable items in antiquity. Moreover, there were some funerary objects which found during excavation. The most interesting points of Thutmose IV tomb Luxor indeed are the construction and decoration. In fact, they show the development of style in tomb building during Dynasty XVIII.

Thutmose IV tomb Luxor is like the earlier tombs. There are two flights of stairs and descending corridors. They lead to a well-shaft. The chamber more completely decorated with painted scenes. In fact, the scenes are of the king before Osiris, Anubis and Hathor. They set against a light yellow background. The tomb ceiling painted with yellow stars on a blue background. A khekher-frieze around the top of the walls. Furthermore, a small chamber leads off to the south at the bottom of the shaft.

Further details about Thutmose IV tomb Luxor KV 43:

A chamber set at 90 degrees to the well-chamber contains two square pillars. But the walls left unfinished, showing only the guidelines for the decoration. A staircase descends to another sloping corridor and staircase and into a vestibule. Moreover, two of the walls of this antechamber to the burial chamber painted with scenes of the king. The king receives life from Osiris, Anubis and Hathor like the well-chamber. On the west wall of Thutmose IV tomb, there are hieratic graffiti and by Maya. Moreover, there are also “Overseer of the Treasury” and Djutmose “Steward of Thebes”. The last one who ‘renewed the burial’ of Thutmose during the time of Horemheb. The chamber has a star ceiling and khekher-frieze at the top of the walls.

The burial chamber contains six square pillars and four annexes or storage chambers. In fact, they lead off the main room. The walls of the main burial chamber left without decoration. Moreover, there are two small niches, one on the southern wall and another on a pillar. They were the first occurrence of ‘magical niches’ which became popular in tombs. The end part of the burial chamber sunk to contain the king’s fine quartzite sarcophagus. It is with figures which painted in yellow and beautiful depictions of Nephthys and Isis on the ends. In fact, the mummy of Thutmose IV found in the cache of royal mummies in Amenhotep II tomb.

Entrance to tomb:

Ticket for the Valley of Kings costs 200 Egyptian pound for three tombs including Thutmose IV tomb. It bought at the gate. Photography inside the tombs forbidden and can incur heavy fines. There is a little train – Taftaf – that runs from the coach park to the entrance to the monument area. It costs 5 Egyptian pound.

Tutankhamun tomb Luxor KV 62 Egypt tours, prices, booking

Tutankhamun tomb Luxor KV 62 located at the Valley of Kings in Luxor. The tomb of Tutankhamun in Luxor number is KV 62. In fact, Tutankhamun was only the age of nine when he became king of Egypt. It was during the 18th dynasty of the New Kingdom 1332–1323 BC. Tutankhamun tomb Luxor discovered in 1922. It was by the archaeologist Howard Carter in the Valley of the Kings. His nearly intact tomb held a wealth of objects. Moreover, they give us unique insights into this period of ancient Egyptian history. Tutankhamun ruled after the Amarna age. It is when the pharaoh Akhenaten turned the religious attention of the kingdom. It was to the worship of the god Aten. Aten is the sun disc. Akhenaten was Tutankhamun’s probable father. He moved his capital city to the site of Akhetaten. It also known as Amarnain Middle Egypt.

In fact, the city is far from the previous pharaoh’s capital. After Akhenaton’s death, the pharaoh Smenkhkare ruled for a short time. And then, Tutankhamen shifted the focus of the country’s worship back to the god Amun. He returned the religious center back to Thebes. In fact, Tutankhamun married his half-sister, Ankhesenamun, but they did not produce an heir. Thus, this left the line of succession unclear. Moreover, Tutankhamun died at the young age of eighteen. He led many scholars to speculate on the manner of his death. Furthermore, His death was because of chariot accident, murder by blow to the head or even a hippopotamus attack!. The answer is still unclear. Tutankhamun’s much-older advisor Ay, married the widowed Ankhesenamun and became pharaoh.

Further details about Tutankhamun tomb Luxor KV 62:

In fact, Tutankhamun tomb Luxor itself is small. It is with architecture more in character with the private Tombs of the West Bank than a royal tomb. In fact, the decoration is in a sorry state. A staircase and also short descending corridor lead to a rectangular antechamber with a small annex off to the east. At 90 degrees to the antechamber is a sunken burial chamber. When discovered, it completely filled with the gilded shrines. Furthermore, it enclosed the sarcophagus of the king. This is the only chamber in the tomb which decorated. The style is like that of Tutankhamun’s successor Ay. Ay depicted on the walls in the ‘Opening of the Mouth Ceremony’. The east wall shows the king’s funerary procession. It is with the mummy which transported on a sledge to the necropolis.

Moreover, it was in the company of two viziers and a figure which some have identified as General Horemheb. This is indeed an unusual scene in a royal tomb, although common in private Tombs of the period. The north wall shows Ay, already wearing the royal crown, performing the rituals before the young king’s mummy. Ay here establishing his rights to the throne. It not usually done until the burial of the former pharaoh. Furthermore,it gives rise to much speculation on the history of the period. Before this scene the king shown greeted by the goddess Nut and with his Ka, embracing Osiris. The south wall depicts Tutankhamun followed by Anubis, Isis (destroyed) and before Hathor, ‘Mistress of the West’. Moreover, a vignette from the Amduat shows the apes of the “First Hour”. It depicted on the west wall of the burial chamber.

More details about Tutankhamun tomb Luxor KV 62:

Amduat is “Book of What is in the Underworld”. Unfortunately the painted decoration is in a poor state of preservation. In fact, it gets worse each year. The paintings in the tomb executed, with the decoration of the north, west and east walls in Amarna proportions. It is while the south wall seems to be more traditional. All the walls depict colored figures against a yellow background. There are four niches for magical bricks in the walls. In fact, Carter’s discovery of Tutankhamun tomb Luxor was sensational at the time. In fact, it was the first time to find a royal tomb which still contains an intact burial. Moreover, the tomb robbed several times in antiquity. It is although a vast hoard of the funerary treasures remained in the tomb.

It was obvious that they “restored to order” by the necropolis officials. The robbers had never got as far as the king’s mummy and still in situ today. It displayed in the center of the burial chamber in a gilded wooden coffin. It is inside his sandstone sarcophagus. On the east side of the burial chamber is the entrance to a side chamber known as the Treasury. The contents of this room were like those in the “crypt” area of a larger royal tomb. Here Carter found the king’s canopic equipment. He also found two subsidiary burials thought to be Tutankhamun’s stillborn children. This room is now empty and cannot visited today.

The innermost coffin at Tutankhamun tomb Luxor KV 62:

Tutankhamun’s sarcophagus held not one but three coffins in which to hold the body of the king. In fact, the sarcophagus is a box-like stone container. The outer two coffins crafted in wood and covered in gold along with many semiprecious stones. It is such as lapis lazuli and turquoise. The inner coffin made of solid gold. In fact, it was not the shiny golden image we see in the Egyptian museum today. It was when Howard Carter first came upon this coffin. It covered with a thick black pitch like layer which extended from the hands down to the ankles. This was an anointing liquid which had poured over the coffin. It was during the burial ceremony and in great quantity (some two buckets full).

The image of the pharaoh is that of a god. The gods thought to have skin of gold, bones of silver, and hair of lapis lazuli. So the king shown here in his divine form in the afterlife. He holds the crook and flail, symbols of the king’s right to rule. The goddesses Nekhbet (vulture) and Wadjet (cobra), inlaid with semiprecious stones. They stretch their wings across his torso. Beneath these goddesses are two more—Isis and Nephthys— which etched into the gold lid.

The death mask at Tutankhamun tomb Luxor Kv 62:

In fact, the death mask is indeed one of the masterpieces of Egyptian art. It rested on the shoulders of the mummy inside the innermost gold coffin. Moreover, the mask constructed of two sheets of gold that hammered together and. It weighs 22.5 pounds (10.23 kg). Tutankhamen depicted wearing the striped nemes headdress with the goddesses Nekhbet and Wadjet. They depicted again protecting his brow. He also wears a false beard. The false beard further connects him to the image of a god as with the inner coffin. He wears a broad collar, which ends in terminals shaped as falcon heads. The back of the mask covered with Spell 151 b from the Book of the Dead. It is which the Egyptians used as a road map for the afterlife. This particular spell protects the various limbs of Tutankhamun. It is as he moves into the underworld.

Entrance to Tutankhamun tomb Luxor KV 62:

There is a little train – Taftaf – that runs from the coach park to the monument area. It costs 5 Egyptian pound. Tickets for the King’s Valley cost 20 Egyptian pound for three tombs. It bought at the gate but separate tickets must bought for the tomb which costs 160 Egyptian pound. Photography inside the tombs strictly forbidden and can incur heavy fines. Many visitors find the tomb cramped and disappointing. Now, the entrance restricted to only a few visitors at a time. At busy periods there may be a queue.

Thutmose III tomb Luxor KV 34 Egypt tours, prices, booking

Thutmose III tomb Luxor KV 34 located in an almost inaccessible cleft. The cleft is in the southern end of Valley of the Kings. In fact, the entrance of the tomb reached by a steep climb up a modern staircase. The tomb discovered in 1898 by the workmen of Victor Loret. In fact, it is the earliest of the royal tombs which can visited at present. Moreover, the tomb built for the king in mid-Dynasty XVIII. There are two flights of steps and descending corridors. They lead to the first occurrence in the  Valley of the Kings of a deep well-shaft. The upper walls of Thutmose III tomb Luxor decorated in simple style. It is with a khekher frieze and with a star ceiling.

Furthermore, there is a vestibule at roughly 90 degrees to the corridor. It has two square pillars and wall decoration which lists 741 of the divinities. In fact, it appears in the sacred texts of the Amduat. He depicted on the walls of the burial chamber below. These figures drawn as stick-figures, with their names or titles in each box beside them. Thutmose III tomb Luxor has a wooden staircase descends to the large cartouch-shaped burial chamber. It decorated with scenes from the Amduat. The Amduat is the oldest text which called by the Egyptians “Book of the Secret Room”. In fact, it seen in the Valley of Kings and depicts the sun’s journey through the 12 hours of night. It shown in its complete form in the tomb.

Further details about Thutmose III tomb Luxor:

The simple stick-figure decoration is in black paint on a pale yellow background. It unrolled like a papyrus and scrolled around the walls of the burial chamber. Two square columns in the burial chamber decorated with scenes from the “Litany of Re”. In fact, the scene shows the king’s union with the sun god. The face of one of the pillars depicts a unique scene of the king. In fact, the king suckled by a goddess named as Isis in the form of a tree. Thutmose III tomb Luxor has four annexes cut into the sides of the burial chamber. In fact, they used as storage chambers. In fact, the tomb plundered before Loret’s excavation. But the beautiful cartouche-shaped yellow quartzite sarcophagus still found. It stands on a limestone plinth at the far end of the burial chamber.

When the tomb discovered the lid of the sarcophagus broken. Moreover, the king’s mummy discovered in one of his wooden coffins. It was by Maspero in the Deir el-Bahri cache in 1881. The lid restored and depicts on its underside an incised relief of the sky-goddess Nut. In fact, he also shown on the base of the sarcophagus. The base incised in red paint with other deities including Isis kneeling on a neb-sign.

Entrance to Thutmose III tomb Luxor:

The tomb is currently open to visitors. Tickets bought from the entrance to the Valley of the Kings. In fact, the tickets for three Tombs cost 200 Egyptian pound.

Edfu temple Sound Light Show tours, booking, prices, reviews

Edfu temple Sound Light Show narrates the historical story of the temple. In fact, the spectacular show, shows the legend of Horus (God of Edfu). It also shows his annual journey with Hathor (goddess of Dendara).
The Show at Edfu temple tells us also the struggle of Horus and his mother Isis against evil. This is one of the most magnificent sound an light projects ever to see. The show presented by using the latest Sound and Light technology.

In fact, they use video Projectors units with animated header. Moreover, they present (LED) lighting and high quality effects. It is by using the best global technology. The Edfu temple Sound Light Show presented in six languages. They are Arabic, English, French, Spanish, Italian and German. All languages are available through headphone with simultaneous translation.

Further details about Edfu temple Sound Light Show:

Edfu temple dedicated to Horus, the falcon headed god. That is why it known as Horus temple. The temple located 60 kilometer north to Aswan in Egypt. Edfu was the 2nd Nome of Upper Egypt and also the center of the cult of a triad of Gods. It consisted of Horus of Behdet, Hathor, and their son, Hor-Sama-Tawy. In the old Greek documents Edfu known as “Apollopolis Magna”. In fact, it is because the Greeks identified Horus with their God Apollo. Edfu temple built during the reigns of six Ptolemies. We have a great deal of information about its construction from reliefs on outer areas. In fact, Edfu temple begun in 237 BC by Ptolemy III Euergetes I and finished in 57 BC.

Most of the work continued throughout this period with a brief interlude of 20 years. It is while there was unrest during the period of Ptolemy IV and Ptolemy V Epiphanes. Edfu temple or Horus temple is the best preserved ancient temple in Egypt. Moreover, Edfu temple is also the second largest after Karnak temple. Horus temple built on the site of the great battle between Horus and Seth. Hence, the current temple was the last in a long series of temples build on this location. Furthermore, the original structure housing a statue of Horus was a grass hut which built in prehistoric times. In addition, there is an earlier and smaller pylon of Ramses II . It sits in a 90 degree angle to the current building.

Edfu temple Sound Light Show contacts:

For more information and the Shows Schedule about Edfu temple Sound Light Show , please visit:

http://www.soundandlight.com.eg/

Ankh hor tomb Luxor Egypt tours, booking, prices, reviews

Ankh hor tomb Luxor is one of a series of large tombs in the Asasif area. The area located in the West Bank of Luxor. In fact, the tomb built at the end of the Third Intermediate Period. It built for high officials in the estates of the Gods Wives of Amun. The great importance of the Gods Wives during this time reflected in the size of the tombs. Moreover, these tombs of their chief administrators, that of Ankh-hor being no exception.

Ankh-hor was ‘Steward of the Divine Votress Nitocris’ and also “Great Mayor of Memphis“. Moreover, he also was ‘Overseer of Upper Egypt in Thebes’ and ‘Overseer of the Priests of Amun’. It was during the reigns of Psamtek II and Apries (Wahibre) of Dynasty XXVI. Furthermore, his tomb as Chief Steward of Nitocris, he was one of the most important and wealthiest men in Egypt.

Further details about Ankh hor tomb Luxor:

Above the ground of Ankh hor tomb a large mud-brick pylon constructed. Behind this a courtyard leading to a staircase and the subterranean levels of the tomb. Little remains now of the structures above-ground. The stairs lead into a small (not decorated) cult room with remains of a false door. To the right (west) a passage leads into a hall. The hall had four square pillars, but only three remain.

In fact, the most interesting part of Ankh hor tomb Luxor to seen today is indeed the next chamber. It is a sun court which constructed around an open space with pillars on the northern and eastern side. Moreover, in front of the pillars on the eastern side an offering table remains in situ. Furthermore, in this court there are some of the finest reliefs of the period. They also with much of the decoration damaged or unfinished. Moreover, a striped carvetto cornice around the court still shows some color. It is also besides to areas which drawn in red but left uncompleted. A cartouche of Psamtek II can seen on the entrance wall.

More details about Ankh hor tomb Luxor:

In fact, the tomb followed the decoration in Pabasa tomb (TT 279). Moreover, the tomb has some rare scenes of beekeeping. Although the complete hives not shown as they are in Pabasa tomb, but only the honeycombs. All the inner chambers of Ankh hor tomb Luxor, which quite extensive, left unfinished. On the western side of the sun court is a short passage. Moreover, it features a cor-belled roof. The roof leads to a large pillared hall.

In fact, eight pillars can seen roughly carved out of the rock. This chamber in turn leads to a vestibule with a small cult chamber and statue niche at the western end. Other chambers off the northern side lead to small rooms on an upper level. The tomb re-used in later periods and contained intrusive burials. Remains of a mummy can still seen in one of the side-chambers. Ankh-hor’s burial chamber is on the southern side of the vestibule. The burial chamber neither plastered nor decorated. It is where visitors can look down into the deep burial shaft.

Entrance to Ankh hor tomb Luxor:

Ank hor tomb Luxor and Kheruef tomb art at el-Asasif area. They are open from 8 am to 4 pm in winter. Tickets can bought at the ticket office for 25 Egyptian pound.

Ay tomb Luxor Egypt tours, booking, prices, reviews

Ay tomb Luxor WV 23 belongs to King Ay, Tutankhamun’s successor. In fact, it found in the Western Valley. The Western Valley branches off at the entrance to the main Valley of the Kings. Moreover, only two completed king’s Tombs found here to date. The other being the tomb of Amenhotep III (WV 22). It recently undergoing re excavation and restoration. In fact, the burial place of Ay tomb Luxor discovered in 1816. It was by Belzoni at which time it appeared to plundered and mutilated in antiquity. In fact, the king’s mummy never found. The tomb is linear in plan. It shows more similarity to the Amarna Royal Tomb. Furthermore, it also does the later Theban Tombs than to previous Dynasty XVIII structures.

In fact, Ay tomb Luxor entered via two staircases and descending corridors. They lead to a square vestibule or well room, not decorated and with no shaft. Here the post Amarna style is evident in the straight axis of the tomb Luxor. It is where the well room leads into a large rectangular sarcophagus hall. This may have intended to be a pillared hall. It changed to be the burial chamber at the king’s death. This is the only decorated chamber. It is in a style like that in Tutankhamun’s tomb, by the same artists. The background is the now familiar golden yellow with black hieroglyphs.

Further details about Ay tomb Luxor WV 23:

On the south wall (to the left of the entrance) we see a barque with standards of Horus. We can also see the goddess Nephthys and the ‘Barque of the Ennead’. Below this in vertical columns of text are passages from the Amduat (the Book of What is in the Underworld). The king’s names have all erased from this text and all other instances in the tomb. On the east wall is a scene which is common in private Tombs. In fact, it is unique in a New Kingdom royal burial chamber. Pharaoh seen here with his queen, Tiye. He spears hippopotamus and hunting birds in the marshes in a canoe. Unfortunately the images of the king and queen lost, but the marshes and birds are still clear.

The north wall is more conventional. It depicts passages from the Amduat like those in Tutankhamun’s tomb. It is with twelve baboons representing the twelve hours of the night. The top register shows five deities preceding a barque with Khepri as the rising sun. Ay tomb Luxor often called the “Tomb of the Baboons”. The Western Valley known as the ‘Valley of the Monkeys’ because of this.

More details about tomb of Ay Luxor WV 23:

On the west wall, the Four Sons of Horus’ shown around an offering table. Moreover, two wear the red crown of Lower Egypt and two wear the white crown of Upper Egypt. Further along the west wall the king shown embraced by the goddess Hathor. It is with his ka before Nut who shown making the “Nini” ritual. Moreover, the king receives life from Hathor as Goddess of the West and finally embraced by Osiris. The king’s red granite sarcophagus can seen in the burial chamber. In fact, it now restored though not in its original orientation. Moreover, it’s shape and decoration is also like Tutankhamun’s. It is with the tutelary deities at the corners.

Entrance to Ay Tomb Luxor:

In fact, the tom Luxor is currently open. If going by taxi you may have to stop at the entrance to the Valley of the Queens. It is to collect the guard with the keys for the tomb Luxor. Ticket cost is 60 Egyptian pound.

Amenherkhepshef tomb Luxor Egypt tours, booking, prices

Amenherkhepshef tomb Luxor referred by QV 55, located in Valley of Queens in West bank of Luxor. Amenherkhepshef is the son of Ramses III and the Great royal wife Titi. In fact, Titi listed in the tomb (QV 52) as God’s Wife and God’s Mother. Moreover, her tomb lies nearby and includes some of the same titles on its walls. The tombs of the sons of Ramses III indeed are the finest monuments in the Valley of the Queens. In fact, Amenherkhepshef died in about the 30th year of Ramses III’s reign. It was when he was around 15 years old. Though some of his titles may show an older age. He was not one of the king’s elder sons. Though he did maintain many important positions within the court. He was the fan bearer to the right of the king.

In fact, the reliefs at Medinet Habu and Karnak temple mentioned this. It is a role more important then it sounds. He was a royal scribe and a cavalry commander. Moreover, he was also the “Superior of the Two Lands”. He had a role in the management of the administrative affairs of the kingdom of Egypt. Throughout Amenherkhepshef tomb Luxor, he wears the side locks of a youth. We find a stela in the Valley of the Dolmen at the sanctuary of Ptah and Meretseger. It is with a partial image of the prince, which must have been an ex-voto in honor of him. It crafted by the artisans who worked on the construction of this eternal house. He also attested to by another fragmentary stela from Deir el-Medina. It is where he is in the presence of an unknown brother.

Further details about Amenherkhepshef tomb Luxor QV 55:

The tomb discovered in 1903. While it completely looted, the structure itself and decorations were in excellent condition. In fact, Amenherkhepshef tomb in Luxor discovered during the second excavation campaign. It conducted by the Italian Archaeological Mission conducted between 1903 and 1904. Moreover, the tomb has a simple plan, consisting of a short flight of steps. They lead to a descending entrance ramp followed by an antechamber or entrance hall. Moreover, the hall has an annex to the northwest. It followed by the sarcophagus chamber, where the sarcophagus discovered. This room also has an unfinished side annex to the northwest. Beyond the sarcophagus chamber there is also a chamber. It was to provide access to the domain of the god Osiris, where the prince’s sarcophagus now located.

The decorative theme of Amenherkhepshef tomb Luxor features only Amenherkhepshef and his father. It is along with various gods. In fact, an inscription tells us that it quarried at the request of the king for his “great royal children”. We are certain that it not used by other princes. After the initial entrance corridor in the antechamber on the left, we first find scenes. They depict this pharaoh leading his son, who carries a broad fan of feathers. It is to meet the great god, Ptah, after which Ramses III intercedes for his son before Ptah-Tatenen. This followed by two genies, including Duamutef with the head of a black dog and Imset with a human head. In fact, these are sons of Horus and protectors of the canopic jars.

More details about Amenherkhepshef tomb Luxor QV 55:

In each of these, the crowns and royal headgear are different. Next we find a fragmentary depiction of Ramses III between Isis and Thoth. Furthermore, on the opposite wall to either side of the annex doorway, are scenes. They represent Ramses III followed by the prince before Shu, Qebhsenuef, Hapy. On the rear wall of the antechamber are scenes showing Ramses III. He introduces his son into the presence of the goddesses Isis (to the left and Hathor is to the right). On the left Ramses III wears make up, and wars the nemes with the uraeus at the front. On the right wall, Hathor wishes the king “an eternity of jubilees and an eternity of life and strength”. Then on the door jambs to the original sarcophagus chamber are depictions. They are of Isis and Nephthys performing the njnj (purification) rite.

Within the antechamber, we find Ramses III wearing a rather rare three part costume. They consist of a tunic of fine, transparent fabric. The sleeves, bordered with beads, form a flounce.Over this worn a corselet adorned by two embroidered falcons on the flaps. It clings to the upper part of the chest and the shoulders of the king. Finally, there is a loincloth at the front, with the classic apron over it. The annex leading off of this chamber undercoated. On the inside of the door jambs of the sarcophagus chamber are scenes to either side. They depict Horus Iun-mutef. On the left wall we encounter chapters 145 and 146 of the Book of the Dead. Here, the pharaoh followed by Amenherkhepshef before texts. He also followed by doors, the genies Iukenty (with an ox’s head) and Qutgetef.

Further details about Amenherkhepshef tomb Luxor QV 55:

They related to the seventh and eighth gates, of the kingdom of Osiris. Furthermore, on the opposite wall we also find the same chapters from the Book of the Dead. But here the genies are Heneb-reku (with a black dog’s head) and Sematy (with a ram’s head). They are from the fifth and sixth gates, of the kingdom of Osiris. On the architrave leading to the last chamber we find the winged solar disk. It represents the god Horus-Behedety above two uraei serpents. They represent the goddesses Wadjet and Nekhbet carrying Shen symbols surrounding the royal names. The last room undercoated. Recent research revealed that Amenherkhepshef never buried in Amenherkhepshef tomb. As it turns out, there is another sarcophagus which designed for Queen Tausert.

It altered for this son of Ramses III and discovered in the tomb of chancellor Bay (KV 13). We have no idea why this tomb not used for the prince’s burial. Little in the way of artifacts discovered in Amenherkhepshef tomb. The unfinished pink granite sarcophagus found in the sarcophagus chamber. It later moved to the rear most chamber. Schiaparelli discovered a small wooden casket holding a fetus. It wrapped in the bandages used for the process of embalming in the Valley of Prince Ahmes. Valley of Prince Ahmes is a lateral wadi. It opens into the lowest part of the southern side of the Valley of Queens. Today, the remains contained in a small urn housed in the rear chamber of the tomb.

Entrance to Amunherkhopshef tomb:

Amunherkhopshef Tomb is currently open to visitors. Ticket for Valley of the Queens can bought at the gate. It costs 35 Egyptian pound for three tombs including Amunherkhopshef tomb. Photography inside the tombs forbidden and can incur heavy fines.

Amenhotep III temple Luxor Egypt tours, booking, prices

Amenhotep III temple Luxor was the largest temple which built on the West Bank. It covered an area of 35 hectares and one of the largest religious structures in Egypt. At the time of construction in Dynasty XVIII, it would have superseded the Temple of Amun at Karnak in size. Kom El Hetan is the modern name for Amenhotep’s temple. It located about half a kilometer to the south east of Medinet Habu. In fact, it stretches from the Colossi of Memnon back to the bend by the Antiquities Inspectorate. Amenhotep III temple decayed rapidly. It is possibly due to the water content of the land it built on.

Until recently all that remained of the site were two massive colossal statues of the pharaoh. They stood at its entrance gateway, known since antiquity as the “Colossi of Memnon”. By early Dynasty XIX, Merneptah was able to re-use many blocks from the site of Amenhotep III temple Luxor. He reused them in the construction of his own funerary monument nearby. We know the general outline of the temple from traces of its pylons. It is also from columns which have lain buried at the site for centuries. It mentioned as one of Petrie’s “Six Temples at Thebes” but never properly excavated. Fragments of architecture are now re-emerging. It is including a columned hall at the rear of the temple. It was during excavations by teams of German and Egyptian archaeologists in recent years.

Further details about Amenhotep III temple Luxor:

The entrance to Amenhotep III temple Luxor was to the east and faced the Nile. It is opposite Luxor temple and guarded by the two gigantic colossi of Amenhotep III. They are with smaller statues of Queens Tiye and Mutemwiya at their feet. There were two large courts between three pylons. In fact, they were with other seated statues of the king. A headless sphinx statue of Queen Tiye found near the second mud brick pylon. There were also jackal statues on high pedestals as well as Osirid statues of the king. Another headless sphinx with the body of a crocodile found in 1957 in Situ. It is on the southern side of the temple site. It can still seen today along with many more recent finds.

An avenue of sphinxes continued in a procession from the third pylon towards a solar court. It surrounded by colonnades of sandstone papyrus columns and Osirid statues of Amenhotep III. On the bases of these statues were lists and name rings of captives from foreign lands. They gave us important information about the distant countries Egypt involved with. At the south side of the entrance to the solar court a huge quartz stela. It re-erected. It shows the king with Queen Tiye and the god Ptah-Sokar-Osiris. Moreover, it is with texts below describing the king’s building accomplishments. The twin of the stela have similar texts. They were on the north side of the entrance but is no longer there.

More details about Amenhotep III temple Luxor:

The inner rooms of the temple also destroyed. But the excavators now uncovered many of the bases of limestone papyrus columns. They are from these chambers. A great part of Amenhotep III temple Luxor re-used in the Temple of Merneptah. The recent restorations there have given archaeologists a great deal of new information. It is about Kom El Hetan from the decoration of the original blocks. The temple dedicated to the god Amun-Re, the principal deity of the land. It was during the New Kingdom. There was a smaller temple to the north of the complex. It dedicated to the Memphite mortuary god Ptah-Sokar-Osiris. Fragment’s of Amenhotep’s blocks and statuary have also found in many other temples. They are both on the West and East Banks.

Amenhotep’s chief architect was Amenhotep, son of Habu. He gained such importance in the royal court that he granted his own mortuary temple near Medinet Habu. He was even deified in later Ptolemaic times. The design of Amenhotep III temple Luxor seems to have been unique. It is in that parts of the structure lay in the Nile flood plain. So that the waters of the inundation would have flooded areas of the eastern courts. The rear chambers including the sanctuaries built on higher ground. That is why they remained above the water level. This innovative concept perhaps had its roots in the creation myth.

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A second unique aspect of Amenhotep III temple Luxor is in its massive quantity of statuary. All Egyptian temples and shrines had many statues of the king and deities. They scattered around their courts. But this pharaoh must have surpassed the usual amount of sculpture. It suggested that Amenhotep depicted the ‘Litany of Sekhmet’. In fact, it is by including a standing and a seated statue of the goddess. It was for each day of the year. It is a fact which mentioned in ancient texts. Many of these Sekhmet statues can still seen around Thebes today. It is especially in the temple of Mut and other Karnak temples. It is along with a vast quantity of images of the king himself and other deities. Many of these sculptures later reused by other pharaohs in their own monuments.

In 1998 Kom El Hetan listed by the World Monuments Watch as one of the world’s 100 most endangered monuments. Since the 1970 the German-Egyptian teams working there. They have unearthed a great many objects and architectural elements. These have cleaned, restored and placed on concrete pedestals. It is in what is rapidly developing into an open-air museum. In April 2002 archaeologists unearthed three large statue fragments. It was at the site of the second pylon. They are the right half of a red granite colossal seated statue of Amenhotep III. And the head of a queen wearing a Pharaonic head-dress with uraeus. And and an unidentified pair of legs on a rectangular pedestal.

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In 2009 the colossal fallen statue of Amenhotep III has reconstructed from parts. It raised again at Kom El Hettan. The head of the statue had taken to the UK in the 19th century. It was by antiquities collector Henry Salt, ending up in the British Museum, where it is now. An exact replica of the original head made by Michael Neilsen of the British Museum. It taken to Egypt complete the statue. Other large parts of the limbs and torso found during excavations. Theses excavations directed by Dr Hourig Sourouzian of the Armenian Academy of Sciences. It was at Amenhotep III temple Luxor.

The granite statue was originally one of a pair in the peristyle court of the temple. It shows the King wearing the red crown of lower Egypt. Furthermore, its companion wore the white crown of Upper Egypt. in March 2009 Dr. Sourouzian’s Mission reported two more statue finds from Amenhotep III temple Luxor. The first was a black granite seated statue of the King which well preserved. It is on a throne with youthful features and wearing a nemes headdress. The face slightly damaged. But this is the first polished black granite statue to found in recent times on this site. The name of Amenhotep III inscribed on the base of the statue.

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The second statue, this time in quartzite. It depicts Amenhotep III as a sphinx with a lion’s body and human head. Again it largely well preserved except for damage to the front paws and parts of the face. A broken architrave from the temple also recently uncovered. It includes a hieroglyphic inscription of the temple dedication.

In March 2010 the Egyptian Minister of Culture announced the discovery of a massive head of Amenhotep III. It is wearing the white crown of Upper Egypt and found at Kom El Hettan. Dr Sourouzian said that the granite head belonged to a large colossal mumiform statue of the king. The royal beard is missing. But the head is one of the best preserved likenesses of Amenhotep III to find. Moreover, it is with carved features and in almost perfect condition. It smoothly polished and with traces of red paint still on the uraeus.

Amenhotep II tomb Luxor Egypt tours, booking, prices

Amenhotep II tomb Luxor KV 35 (Dynasty XVIII) discovered in 1898 by Victor Loret. It is similar in plan to that of his predecessor Thutmose III. In fact, it is one of the most beautiful tombs in the Valley. The discovery was rather spectacular. It is because the tomb contained the burial of the king and his son Webensenu. Amenhotep II tomb in Luxor is a large tomb with complex architecture. It is similar in many respects to the tomb of Thutmose III. Like other tombs in the valley, there are two sets of stairways. There are also two corridors before the ritual shaft.

New for this tomb are decorations. They depict the king performing ritual acts before Osiris, Anubis and Hathor. From the ritual shaft, Amenhotep II tomb  takes a 90 degree turn into the two pillared vestibule. Wide flight of stairs leads out of the vestibule into a third corridor. And then, it leads into a large, six pillared room. This room has images of the king in the presence of various deities.

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At the back (south) of the six pillared room beyond the last set of pillars is the burial chamber. The burial chamber contains the kings red quartzite sarcophagus. Until 1928, the tomb had the mummy of the king. The mummy transferred to the Cairo Museum at that time. It was one of the surprises in this tomb which was not like other tombs in the valley. Amenhotep II’s mummy found intact. It was with a garland of mimosa flowers at his neck. Though the coffin he laid in was perhaps a replacement. Tomb robbers would search the mummies for gold amulets and other valuable objects. But for some reason they ignored the mummy of this king.

Amenhotep II tomb has one annex to either side of the six pillared room. It also has two more annexes, one one each side of the burial chamber. The burial chamber includes the complete text of the Book of Amduat. It including the corresponding illustrations. The whole text laid out as though on a huge papyrus. This text, in simple paint (no reliefs), is in cursive hieroglyphs. On the ceiling of the tomb is the familiar pattern of gold stars. It is on a dark blue background.

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The the western lateral annex of the tomb enclosed by a stone wall. At it, Victor found his second surprise. He found the sarcophagi and mummies of nine other royal burials. It is besides his son, Webensenu, and probably his mother, Hatshepsut-Meryetre. These included Thutmose IV, Amenophis III and Merneptah. They also included Sethos II, Siptah, Setenakhte, Ramses IV, Ramses V and Ramses VI. In all, he found remains of 17 royal burials in the cache. This cache likewise note violated. Hence, Victor’s discovery of this tomb ranks high in the annuls of Egyptology.

Entrance to Amenhotep II tomb:

The tomb is currently open to visitors. Tickets can bought from the main West Bank ticket office. In fact, it is besides the ticket office at the entrance to the Valley of Kings.

Colossi of Memnon Luxor Egypt tours, booking, prices, reviews

Colossi of Memnon Luxor are two gigantic stone statues. They known as Colossi of Memnon since 1350 BC. In fact, the colossi guard the temple of Pharaoh Amenhotep III. It is where worshiped as a god-on-earth both before and after his departure from this world. Moreover, the massive statues, each about 20 meters high resemble Amenhotep III himself. They got their name after one of the statues, the right one to the north damaged in an earthquake. Colossi of Memnon Luxor are not the only massive statues of Pharaoh Amenhotep. In fact, in 2014, archaeologists unearthed two more statues of the pharaoh. The new statues of the pharaoh join a pair of already famous giants. It is at the temple which known as the Colossi of Memnon. They are 16 meter high images of King Amenhotep who seated on his throne. They also made of quartz.

Strabo is a Greek historian and geographer of the 1st century. He recorded an earthquake in 27 BC. It shattered the northern colossus, causing the upper section to fall away. For some reason, after it damaged, the statue of Colossi of Memnon Luxor would emit strange sounds in the morning. It possibly related to the heat of the Sun. Furthermore, Ancient Greeks tried to find an explanation for the sound and looked to the story of Memnon by Homer. Memnon was a hero of the Trojan War, a King of Ethiopia. He led his armies from Africa into Asia Minor. It was to help defend the beleaguered city but slain by Achilles. After his death, he reappeared in a statue in Thebes. It is after given immortality by Zeus and cried every morning with the rising of the Sun.

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The damage to the statue created a fissure in the rock. It made it “sing” or “whistle” every morning at dawn. Thought that this caused by the evaporation of dew inside the porous rock. Moreover, the sounds led to the birth of the legend of the “Vocal Memnon”. According to the legend, hearing the sound brought good luck. It believed that the statue was an oracle. Several Roman Emperors, came to marvel at the Colossi of Memnon Luxor. The last recorded reliable mention of the sound dates from 196. Later in the Roman era, the upper tiers of sandstone added and the sound vanished.

Not only are Colossi of Memnon Luxor high, they are also heavy. Each of the colossi weighs around 700 ton. They made from blocks of quartz sandstone. It quarried at The Red Mountain. It is near to modern Cairo. They transported 675 km overland to Thebes (Luxor). The temple of Pharaoh Amenhotep III today completely destroyed. It first ruined by flood waters and later cannibalized for its stone. In fact, the colossi damaged as well, lacking their faces and tall royal crowns. Yet, these ancient statues are still impressive. Their presence attests to the greatness of the ancestors.