Deep in the abysmal, rocky contours of modern-day Luxor’s western bank, a collection of dry beds host the Wadi Bidan el-Muluk, otherwise known as the Valley of the Kings (Hawass 9). Here, Ancient Egyptian workers had toiled through scorching desert heat to create a series of tombs that would house the physical bodies of their pharaohs. The choice of isolation for this complex of wadis, their towering and mammoth architecture, as well as the detailed, colorful decoration depict the significance of the tombs to the Ancient Egyptians. Built during Ancient Egypt’s New Kingdom, there are 63 known tombs, most housing the bodies and possessions of renowned pharaohs and god-kings (Hawass 24). With every new archaeological discovery and breakthrough …show more content…
In 1922, archaeologist Howard Carter unveiled King Tutankhamen’s tomb in its entirety, hidden from any pervious tomb raiders and thieves (Reeves and Wilkinson 86). The hidden tomb was left intact, and Carter’s discovery revealed the riches and artifacts of an ancient civilization. As Reeves and Wilkinson explains, “Because of this vast show of wealth, 70 years after the discovery Tutankhamen remains the valley’s most famous son” (8). Since then, the mainstream world and media has been thrust into a period of Egyptomania that lives on today. The Valley of the Kings has captured the imagination of millions of people, resulting in dramatized Hollywood mummy blockbusters and King Tut best sellers. These fictional pieces, many stemmed from Howard Carter’s discovery in 1922, have no doubt enraptured the minds of the masses, as well as brought revenue to the entertainment industry. For example, Universal Studios released a series of horror movies, collectively called “The Mummy” franchise. The four movies, released over a span of nine years, made a total gross profit of $1,415.4 million worldwide (“The Mummy”). “The Mummy” Franchise is only one of the many Ancient Egyptian based movies and books that have boosted the entertainment industry. Furthermore, the Valley of the Kings provides significant insights to Ancient Egypt. It has provided us with more knowledge about renowned pharaohs, such as Ramses II, Hatshepsut, Thutmose, etc. who have had large impacts on Ancient Egypt (Drower). Within the tombs, archaeologists have also discovered religious texts, such as the Book of Day, Book of Night, Book of the Heavenly Cow, etc. that depict the pharaohs’ journey through the afterlife (Hawass 68). Discovered artifacts, every-day possessions of pharaohs (such as clothing and beds), food and drink,
Whenever the topic of Ancient Egypt is breached, a few generic topics are instantly recalled: maybe it’s the pyramids, King Tut’s tomb, maybe even the Exodus? Before Egypt became the Egypt that most everyone knows of now, it was a wildly disjointed, disunited preamble to the great empire it became known for. King Narmer was the factor that ultimately changed that. Unifier of Egypt and founder of the First Dynasty, Narmer set into motion a series of events that ultimately shaped Egypt into the modern republic it is now. In this episode of ‘A History of the World in 101 Objects,’ we will delve into the history behind this legendary Stele, explore the ancient and current significance of such a production, and attempt to lift the veil on topics such as consolidating Menes with Narmer.
The funerary rituals introduced by the Egyptians were the most intricate, spiritual rites in their times and, perhaps, even to this day. Their elaborate customs, tombs, and gifts to the dead were representative of their pious, devoted nature. Albeit not all were as imposing as the oldest and still remaining Seven Wonder of the World, the Pyramids of Giza, all were meaningful and sacred. The Egyptians, highly reverent of their dead, adopted ornate, religious burial practices to fit to every member of their society.
On November 4, 1922, they found king tut's tomb. In king tut’s tomb, there was his body and 110.4 kg worth of gold in the tomb. The man who found the tomb was carter, carter worked in egypt for 31 years, He started at 17 years old when he started he was just redrawing the writing on the walls then his friend introduced him to this billionaire this billionaire loved horses but one day he got in an accident and now he can't go out in the cold so the billion decided to do things egypt because it was so hot so the reserved a spot where they can go in the valley of kings and they started working after 1 season they found 15 pots in the second season they found nothing in the in the 3rd to 4th season the found 2 more pots the billionaire decided to give up so then carter said he saved up enough money see he can pay for 1 more season the billionaire says the determination
The Metropolitan Museum of Art. ‘Egyptian Art’, The Metropolitan Museum of Art Egyptian Art. New Series, Vol. 41, No. 3, Egyptian Art (Winter, 1983-1984): pp. 1+3-56
W. Raymond Johnson, The Journal of Egyptian Archaeology, (1996), pp. 65-82, Date viewed 19th may, http://www.jstor.org/stable/pdfplus/3822115.pdf?&acceptTC=true&jpdConfirm=true
The Valley of the Kings is a valley in Egypt which was chosen as the burial ground for a great number of pharaohs and nobles of the New Kingdom; the New Kingdom in Egypt spans the time between the 16th century BC and the 11th century BC which includes the eighteenth, nineteenth and twentieth dynasties of Egypt (Long 2015: 39). In 1979 an organization known as the Theban Mapping Project was organized to strategically catalogue the present and available archaeological record of the Theban Necropolis in the Valley of the Kings. “The TMP’s goal is to establish a historical and contemporary record of all monuments … and to prepare detailed topographical maps, architectural plans and surveys of their history and condition (Weeks 2000:1).” The book
to 2650 B.C., changed his name to the more commonly known Zoser. It was Zoser
were 10 doors and at end there was a statue of Osiris, the god of the
Hawass,Zahi. The secrets of the Sphinx: restoration past and present. Cairo: The American University in Cairo Press, 1998.
This periodical discusses the physical appearance of The Pyramids Of Giza as built by each pharaoh, and also the function of the pyramid as a mortuary temple (Salima Ikram, Janice Kamrin 2012). It also discusses the Pyramids of Giza as great structures of the ancient world (Salima Ikram, Janice Kamrin 2012). This periodical was very important to my understanding as it showcased why Pyramids were so important to the burial process, showing the connection between burial and architecture. The authors of this periodical remain non bias throughout, providing factual information about the Pyramids Of
Ancient Egyptian burial rituals and customs have evolved over time as source C depicts. Source C is relief illustrating the evol...
It is clear that tombs and burial rituals were a key element in the Egyptian society and their way of life as it ties into almost all things they did on a daily basis. Whatever a person’s status was when they were alive followed them into the afterlife. Food and luxury goods were buried with a person so that they could have it in the afterlife. The tombs became a person’s new house after they died. Therefore, making it as nice as possible was really important. Art work and clay models were added to a person’s tomb as material goods needed for the afterlife. They were also seen as decorations that kept the tombs looking nice. Throughout the years, Egyptian artworks on the inner parts of the tombs and on the coffins show a development in the Egyptian customs. Each new development was created to better preserve the bodies and comfort of the dead.
Maspero, Gaston. Manual Of Egyptian Archaeology And Guide To The Study Of Antiquities In Egypt. 1895. Print.
When one travels to Egypt, what does he/she see - pyramid after temple after tomb, each standing the test of time. One stands out - they are all associated with religious beliefs, they all have stood unmoving for thousands of years, and they all involve mechanical genius- the moving of colossal stones without the use of the wheel. The finest example such mechanics is shown in the construction of the revered pyramid. These three factors, all belonging to the religious architecture of ancient Egypt, do nothing else but prove its greatness.
The ancient Egyptians were people of many firsts. They were the first people of ancient times to believe in life after death. They were the first to build in stone and to fashion the arch in stone and brick. Even before the unification of the Two Lands, the Egyptians had developed a plow and a system of writing. They were accomplished sailors and shipbuilders. They learned to chart the cosmos in order to predict the Nile flood. Their physicians prescribed healing remedies and performed surgical operations. They sculpted in stone and decorated the walls of their tombs with naturalistic murals in vibrant colors. The legacy of ancient Egypt is written in stone across the face of the country from the pyramids of Upper Egypt to the rock tombs in the Valley of the Kings to the Old Kingdom temples of Luxor and Karnak to the Ptolemaic temples of Edfu and Dendera and to the Roma...