Our final day was reserved for the Theban Necropolis on the west bank of the Nile. Here the bodies of the kings and queens were hidden away in secret tombs in the Valley of the Kings or the Valley of the Queens, while the great mortuary temples on the banks of the Nile celebrated their greatness. The greatest of the mortuary temples is the Temple of Hatshepsut, the only female pharaoh. Partially carved out of the rock and fronted by a series of massive stone pillared terraces, it remains awe-inspiring, even at the end of a week of tombs, temples and history. Looking for a better vantage point for my photographs I ran up a dirt track to the top of the hill, disregarding some shouting behind me. I’d got a couple of rolls shot by the time the policeman caught up with me and guided me back down. Since the massacre of tourists in 1997, the tourist police are constantly vigilant.
In the Valley of the Kings most people head for the tomb of Tutenkhamhun, only to be disappointed. It’s a small tomb with little to see other than the sarcophagus containing his mummy. The fabulous gold, gems and artefacts, which were found undisturbed in the tomb, were removed to the museum in Cairo. Other tombs are massive, carved into the solid rock with numerous rooms, tunnels and chambers and paintings still in good order. Visit early in the morning before they become choked with bus parties. However there are many deserted lesser tombs, where you can imagine the thrill of those early archaeologists as they first entered. I did brave the crowds at the tomb of Seti II, where a glass coffin contains a genuine mummy with the wrappings removed from the head to reveal the parchment like skin and serene face of a priest who has been dead for five thousand years.
My trip was organised by Libra Holidays
Egypt -Nile Cruising - Part I
Egypt Nile Cruising Aswan - Part II
Egypt Nile Cruising Luxor - Part III
