We visited the Valley of the Kings in the cool of the morning. Unfortunately no photos were allowed so there are no images for the blog but we found this an inspiring experience. Apparently digging the Pharaoh’s tomb was initiated as soon as the new king assumed office and only ended when he died – the builders had 70 days (the duration of mummification) to tidy up and leave before the mummy and all the interred items were placed in their places.
The valley was chosen after pyramids were abandoned as being too obvious a target for tomb robbers because it was both secluded and had a pyramid shaped peak above it.
One rubble filled tomb entrance was found and by-passed twice over a hundred years and finally investigated more fully in the late 1990’s and found to be the biggest tomb complex in the valley comprising 95 chambers and still counting. (see www.kv5.com)
Tombs we inspected were:
• Ramses III – for the scenes
• Tausert/Setnakhut – the queen king Tausert and her successor Setnakhut, for the building process and
• Ramses IX – for the colours amazingly lasting 3,000 years.
An informative demonstration of working alabaster was intriguing. As we approached, I thought the guys outside were fashioning wood but they were actually working alabaster – rough shaping, drilling, filing, polishing it into very fine alabaster jars and other ornaments.
We visited the three level Funeral temple of Hatshepsut – it had lots of colour in the images even though they are exposed to the elements. The photo of four statues n a row is from this temple.
On the side of the road we came across the Colossae of Memnon – 20m high statues. The associated temple has long gone it was demolished in an earthquake in 27BC. There was lots of archeological work going on at the site.
A dust storm blew in the afternoon but that doesn’t stop the intrepid tourist so we visited the Karnak Temple a huge complex built over a period of 2,000 years – each king added a bit more to the complex.
Highlights of the complex were:
• A mud brick ramp used in the construction of an unfinished part.
• A “room” with 134 columns – the roof collapsed in the 27 BC earthquake but the columns still stand.
• Most of the columns represented the papyrus plant but the central ones were the papyrus flower.
• The over writing of one king’s name with that of Ramses II (politics!).
Near Tutankhamun's tomb Faysang the chorus of Colin Buchanan's mummy song for our tour group and they all cheered and clapped, of course.
The valley was chosen after pyramids were abandoned as being too obvious a target for tomb robbers because it was both secluded and had a pyramid shaped peak above it.
One rubble filled tomb entrance was found and by-passed twice over a hundred years and finally investigated more fully in the late 1990’s and found to be the biggest tomb complex in the valley comprising 95 chambers and still counting. (see www.kv5.com)
Tombs we inspected were:
• Ramses III – for the scenes
• Tausert/Setnakhut – the queen king Tausert and her successor Setnakhut, for the building process and
• Ramses IX – for the colours amazingly lasting 3,000 years.
An informative demonstration of working alabaster was intriguing. As we approached, I thought the guys outside were fashioning wood but they were actually working alabaster – rough shaping, drilling, filing, polishing it into very fine alabaster jars and other ornaments.
We visited the three level Funeral temple of Hatshepsut – it had lots of colour in the images even though they are exposed to the elements. The photo of four statues n a row is from this temple.
On the side of the road we came across the Colossae of Memnon – 20m high statues. The associated temple has long gone it was demolished in an earthquake in 27BC. There was lots of archeological work going on at the site.
A dust storm blew in the afternoon but that doesn’t stop the intrepid tourist so we visited the Karnak Temple a huge complex built over a period of 2,000 years – each king added a bit more to the complex.
Highlights of the complex were:
• A mud brick ramp used in the construction of an unfinished part.
• A “room” with 134 columns – the roof collapsed in the 27 BC earthquake but the columns still stand.
• Most of the columns represented the papyrus plant but the central ones were the papyrus flower.
• The over writing of one king’s name with that of Ramses II (politics!).
Near Tutankhamun's tomb Faysang the chorus of Colin Buchanan's mummy song for our tour group and they all cheered and clapped, of course.
Every ancient thing in this country seems to be built on such a huge scale.
Day 24 – 25th February 2010
I'm glad you're out of Israel atm:
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that's right Russ. We heard of other potential hot spots/issues while we were there.... Bob
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