The Valley of the
Queens is located on the West Bank at Luxor (ancient
Thebes). There are between 75 and 80 tombs in the
Valley of the Queens, or Biban al-Harim. These belong
to Queens of the 18th, 19th and 20th Dynasties. These
include.
The Tomb of
Khaemwese (Tomb 44): Scenes in Khaemwese's tomb
show him being presented to the guardians of the gates
to the afterlife along with his father. He is making
an offering in the scene, and is dressed in a robe,
wearing a necklace and the sidelocks of youth.
The Tomb of Queent Titi (Tomb 52): She is
probably the queen of a 20th Dynasty. She is depicted
with the sidelocks common to the Egyptian young of the
period and in the presence of the gods Thoth, Atum,
Isis and Nephthys. In the next chamber the queen is
shown making offerings to Hathor the cow, and in the
last chamber the gods Neith, Osiris, Selquit, Nephthys
and Thoth.
The Tomb of
Amenhikhopeshef (Tomb 55): Amenhikhopeshef was a
son of Ramesses III and scenes show him with his
father and the gods Thoth, Ptah and others. He was
probably about nine years old when he died. Scenes
show him being presented to various gods, including
Anubis, the Jackal-headed god of the dead, by his
father, Ramesses III. A premature baby was also found
in to tomb. This belonged to this mother, who aborted
upon learning of Amenhikhopeshef's death.
The Tomb of
Nefertari (Tomb 66): One of five wives of Ramesses
II, Nefertari was his favorite and the tomb here has
been is said to be one of the most beautiful in Egypt.
The tomb is completely painted with scenes though out.
In most of these, Nefertari, known as 'the most
beautiful of them', is accompanied by gods. She is
usually wearing a golden crown with two feathers
extended from the back of a vulture and clothed in a
white, gossamer gown. Be sure not to miss the side
room where one scene depicts the queen worshipping the
mummified body of Osiris. Near the stairs to the
burial chamber is another wonderful scene with
Nefertarti offering milk to the goddess Hathor.