The attractions of Luxor are not only the temples but also other attractive places like Valley of the Nobles. By the Egyptian belief of life after death, they built tombs to ensure the eternity of the dead. Most of the tombs in Luxor are on the western bank of the Nile River.
Two types of tombs are found in Luxor; Royal Tombs (where kings are buried) such as The Valley of the Kings and Private Tombs (where nobles or those close to the kings are buried). One of the places where the nobles are buried in the Valley of the Nobles.
The History of the Valley of the Nobles
The belief of eternity was only to kings so they were buried with their treasures, food, and everything necessary in the life Beyond. Since the Middle Empire, the belief of eternity started being to the nobles. In the New Empire, the nobles had the right to establish their tombs and decorate them like kings.
The Valley of Noble’s west of Luxor on the west bank of the River Nile. Ministers, priests, army soldiers, and officials of the king’s palace were buried there. Most of the nobles were from the 17th, 19th, and 20th dynasties.
The Construction of the Valley of the Nobles
The Valley of the Nobles was carved into the rock, there are more than 400 tombs. On the façade of the tombs, there is the title and the name of the owner of the tomb. Sometimes you can find funerary cones placed at the entrance of the tomb. The walls of the tombs are decorated with inscriptions of the daily life of the nobleman and funerary scenes. The Valley is divided into six necropolises;
– Dra Abu El-Naga; the tombs of the XVII dynasty and high officials of the XVIII and XIX dynasties.
– El-Joja; the tombs of the Old Empire and others of the XVII, XIX, and XX dynasty.
– El-Assasif; the tombs of the New Empire and others of the Third Intermediate Period.
– El-Tarif; the tombs of the end of the Second Intermediate Period and the beginning of the Middle Empire.
– Qurnet Murai; tombs of the nobles of the New Empire.
– Sheikh Abd El-Qurna; tombs of the nobles of the XVIII Dynasty.
The Most Famous Tombs
-The Tomb of Rejmira (TT100); it was the vizier of the XVIII Dynasty, of the king Thutmosis III and Amenhotep II. It is famous for the decoration of its walls representing Rejmira’s work and activities, drawings of agriculture and hunting, funeral rites, and other crafts.
-The Tomb of Najt (TT 52); he was a priest, scribe an astronomer of Amon during the reign of king Tutmosis IV, in the XVIII dynasty. His tomb is very beautiful for its paintings that reflect real life.
-The Tomb of Menna (TT69); he was a scribe of the Lord’s fields of the God of High and Low Egypt during the reign of Thutmosis IV and Amenhotep III in the XVIIIth Dynasty. His tomb was excellently decorated. On the walls, drawings are representing Menna, his wife, and children in their condition life.
Excursion in the Valley of the Nobles
Don’t miss the opportunity to visit the Valley of the Nobles with a trip organized by Jakada Tours Egypt. You can also visit the attractions of Luxor and Aswan accompanied by a private tour guide. Check now our Egypt tours or Nile cruise packages and book your magical vacation.
