Adventures on the Nile: A Sense of the Eternal

From the beginning of the New Kingdom, around 1550 BC, Kings of Egypt were no longer buried in the pyramids, as they were obvious targets for robberies. They found another sacred, more remote location outside of Thebes, in what is now called the Valley of the Kings. Even walking through the Valley, one gets a sense of the sacred and eternal.

The tombs were dug far into the mountain side and other deterrents were put in place to help protect the tombs from grave robbers, but unfortunately all the tombs but one were raided thousands of years ago. Thankfully, most of the scenes and scripts on the walls are intact and have been of great help to egyptologists. The tombs we visited, of Rameses IV and Merenptah, were simply stunning. It is unbelievable that so much artistry still remains 3,000 years after it was created!

Buried alongside the king would have been all the things he would need in the afterlife, including chariots, weapons, food, and jewelry. Though many materials were used to decorate the tomb, alabaster was used to line the sarcophagi and for the sacred vases as well.

Alabaster artisans have existed in Egypt for thousands of years and the techniques used have remained unchanged from the time of the pharaohs. We thoroughly enjoyed visiting one of these masonry workshops, just down the road from the Valley. While fake alabaster and marble souvenirs are everywhere in Egypt, you can find authentic stonework made from one of these artisan shops. And believe me when I say the difference is worth the price!

Travel Tip
Egypt has many treasures, and they're all thousands of years old. They have endured this long despite wars and earth quakes, but they will not last much longer if people don't respect them. So please be sure to keep your hands at your sides when next to a statue, in a tomb, or even walking around "ruins". Climbing the pyramids is not permitted, though we saw people doing it. So if you see someone not being respectful, don't use this as an excuse to do it too - remember we want these treasures to be enjoyed and experienced for thousands of years to come!