As ta-set-neferu, the “The Place of Beauty” or “The Place of (Royal) Children”, the Valley of the Queens served as the New Kingdom necropolis for both royal children and queens, as well as highly regarded non-royal officials. It boasts some of Thebes’ most beautifully preserved tombs, including the tomb of Nefertari (QV 66), and the tombs of the sons of Rameses III (Princes Khaemwaset – QV 44, Setherkhepeshef – QV 43, Amenherkhepeshef – QV 55, and Pareherunemef – QV 42). The Western Wadis served as a precursor to the Valley of the Queens, as many 18th Dynasty queens and royal family members were interred here in high cliff-tombs and large subterranean shaft tombs. These include a tomb prepared for the Queen Hatshepsut (Wadi A-1), the tomb of the three foreign wives of Thutmes III, Menhet, Merti, and Menwi (Wadi D-1), and the tombs of the royal court members of Amenhetep III (WB1).
As with the Valley of the Kings, the Theban Mapping Project will serve as your digital guide, providing users with interactive tomb plans, exhaustive site histories, and references. Limited photography will be included and will be added to over the next year. Which tomb are you most looking forward to exploring?
