Egypt – Valley of the Kings – Journeys Resource

After the era of massive pyramids made them easy targets for looters, Egypt’s New Kingdom Pharaohs shifted to “stealth mode,” carving their tombs deep into the limestone cliffs of the Valley of the Kings. This desolate gorge was a high-security necropolis protected by elite guards and the natural, pyramid-shaped peak of al-Qurn. The site contains over 60 tombs, ranging from King Tut’s tiny, treasure-filled chamber to massive complexes with over 120 rooms. The valley is essentially an ancient underground gallery; every wall is covered in vibrant, “cheat-sheet” hieroglyphics (based on their beliefs) designed to help the Pharaoh’s soul navigate a dangerous underworld filled with monsters to reach eternal life.

Draw a picture of the entrance of a tomb or inside one of the tombs of the Valley of the Kings.

Early Eighteenth Dynasty Tombs

Late Eighteenth Dynasty (Post-Armana) Tombs

Nineteenth and Twentieth Dynasty Tombs

After building huge pyramids that were easy for robbers to find, the Egyptian Pharaohs decided to hide their graves. They moved to a “secret” valley and carved their tombs deep into the rocky hillsides so no one would know where the treasure was hidden!
There are over 60 tombs in the valley! Some are just small pits, while others are “super-massive” with over 100 rooms.
The Pharaohs chose this specific valley because it sits right at the foot of a mountain called al-Qurn. The mountain is naturally shaped like a perfect pyramid, so the kings still got their “pyramid” without having to build one.
Even thousands of years ago, people liked to visit the tombs! Archaeologists have found over 2,000 examples of ancient graffiti written on the walls by Greek and Roman tourists who visited the valley way back in ancient times.
The valley was protected by a group of elite desert guards called the Medjay. They were like the ancient Egyptian version of the Secret Service, and their job was to patrol the hills and keep tomb robbers away from the royal treasures.

193	January 14, 2026	(North America)
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