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We set out the next morning for the Valley of the Kings. On the way we stopped to look at the fields and take a picture of this young man with a cart full of cabbages. |
Our first stop was at the "Colossi of Memnon." Actually they are just about all that remains of the Mortuary Temple of Amenhotep III (1387-1349 B.C.).
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On the side of the western statue is the familiar depiction of the unification of upper and lower Egypt--Lower Egypt symbolized by the papyrus blossom, Upper Egypt by the lotus. |
Here is the eastern colossus as depicted in the September issue of National Geographic Magazine. The man in the foreground is Ahmed Suliman, the propietor of the small hotel in which we stayed.
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Our next stop was the Mortuary Temple of Ramses III (1186-1154 B.C.). It is an incredible structure--nearly as large as Karnak. Note the original color still evident on this gateway. |
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Here we approach the first pylon of the temple. On each side the king is shown defeating the enemies of Egypt. On the right he wears the red crown of lower Egypt, and on the left he wears the white crown of upper Egypt. |
Depiction of Isis and Horus inside the doorway of the pylon. Nearly every available surface is covered with carvings. |
This row of papyrus flower columns frame one side of the first courtyard. Many of the inscriptions tell of the military victories of the king. |
In this relief the king--on the right--is presented with piles of the severed hands of enemy troops defeated in battle.
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This inner courtyard features papyrus bud columns. The University of Chicago is carrying out extensive restoration work at this site. |
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A lunch we caught this photo of another diner smoking a water pipe. |
After lunch we entered the Valley of the Kings. A pyramid shaped peak looms silently over the tombs. |
The first tomb we entered, KV43, nearly did me in. It belonged to Thutmose IV (1397-1387 B.C.). Above is a plan of the tomb. Negotiating the stairs can be an ordeal. |
Above is a painting from KV17, the tomb of Seti I. Photos with flash are not permitted in the tombs. One of the guests at our hotel is doing a photographic survey of KV17 in the hope that funds can be obtained for its restoration.
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Here we descend a path towards KV11, the tomb of Ramses III (1186-1154 B.C.). |
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This is the entrance to KV11. |
At center left of this picture is KV9, tomb of Ramses V/VI. To the right of center is KV62, the tomb of Tutankamen. |
This is a scan from National Geographic of part of the ceiling over the burial chamber in KV9. |
That afternoon, while I took a nap, Ahmed Suliman treated Deborah to a ride on a horse. |
After that, Deborah, Jason and Estelle rode donkeys through the village and through the fields. |
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Estelle took these photos in the village. |
Most of the women in the village wore traditional garb. |
Here Ahmed's son Mohamed leads Estelle's donkey. |
Jason, on the right, headed toward the fields. |
That evening we had dinner at the home of Ahmed Zgould. We caught this sunrise the next morning. |
