Tomb Of Ramses III Luxor

Tomb Of Ramses III Luxor

Ramses III, the son of Pharaoh Setnakht was the second monarch to rule Egypt in the 20th dynasty of the new kingdom. Though discovered long back, the tomb was fully explored very recently by archeologist James Bruce in 1768, William Browne and Belzoni further unraveled the mysteries and retrieved the relics of the tomb. These are put up now on display in the Louvre and Fitzwilliam Museum.

Popularly known as Tomb of the Harpists due to a spectacular bas relief wok on the walls depicting two blind harp players entertaining the king, the Tomb of Ramses III in Luxor is known to archeologists as KV11. The ten walled chamber within the tomb is inlaid with beautiful pictures representing agricultural activities and the treasures such as jars, jewellery and other relics that were encased in the tomb. The 125 meter tall tower is a prototype of the tombs of the 19th and 20th dynasty pharaohs.

The entrance leads to a flight of stairs and the ensuing corridor is lined on either side by annex chambers. The second corridor branches off to the right leading to a third corridor. A ritual shaft, the four pillared chamber and another corridor must be spanned before getting to the antechambers. Then one reaches the burial chamber and annex rooms. It is believed that the construction of the tomb was actually initiated by Setnakht but completed and taken over by Ramses III. The entrance towers are beautifully sculpted with the head of Hathor.

Beautiful scenes of the king's arsenal and sailing boats and ships adorn the walls of the annex chambers while scenes from the Amduat, Book Of Gates and Opening of the Mouth grace the corridor walls. Inscriptions from sacred texts also are embellished on the walls of the burial room and the annex rooms.

Book Luxor hotels now