The Valley of the Kings was an ancient burial grounds for the Egyptian Pharaohs. After they finished using Pyramids, this was their way of ascending into the afterlife. It was used in the New Kingdom, you see, while the Pyramids were used in the Old Kingdom. The tombs in the valley were constructed in such a way that was fit for a Pharaoh.

            The Valley is located on the western bank of the Nile River in Egypt. It was very large and old, nearly 500 miles south of the Great Pyramid at Giza. Most of the kings in the Valley of the Kings were buried more that 3,000 years ago. 

            King Tut’s tomb is one of the most famous tombs in the valley, and probably one of the most complete. Even though not all of the gold of his tomb survived past all the thieves, many people still love it. One thing that is surprising and puzzles people about King Tut is the age he was when he died. He was still a teenager. Some people think that he might have suffered a blow to the head, due to the large fracture in his skull.

            The decoration and planning of the tombs were never simple. Each tomb is unique, although some share some similar characteristics. Great writings cover nearly all of the walls, and magical writings containing enchantments are in books. One of those books is known as the Book of the Dead.

            Final touches were always necessary when a king was pronounced dead. 3 months time usually passed before they actually buried the dead ruler in the Valley of the Kings. Once the burial tomb was closed off, nobody could re-enter. Only the craftsmen and the guards were permitted to return for their own reasons.

            Now you may think that there was just a valley for the kings, but actually there was a Valley of the Queens too. It was where the princesses of the Royal Blood were laid to rest. This valley started during the 18^th Dynasty of Egypt. This specific valley is divided into two groups: burial grounds for the 18^th Dynasty and tombs for the 19^th and 20^th Dynasty. Of course you know now that the Egyptians didn’t forget the women.