Beneath the scorching Egyptian sun lies the Valley of the Three Pits. It’s a place whispered about in hushed tones, a smaller, more intimate necropolis nestled near the grand Valley of the Queens. The Valley of the Three Pits earned its name from three mysterious shaft tombs discovered within its confines, labeled QV 89, QV 90, and QV 91. These tombs, along with the others in this valley, date back to the Thutmosid period of the 18th Dynasty. This was a time of powerful pharaohs and elaborate burials, yet the Valley of the Three Pits offers a glimpse into a different side of royal life. It wasn’t just pharaohs who were laid to rest here. Princes, princesses, and even some high-ranking nobles found their final resting place in this valley. The tombs themselves are relatively simple in design. Most consist of a single chamber accessed by a shaft, a stark contrast to the sprawling complexes of the Valley of the Kings. Some tombs, however, were expanded to accommodate multiple burials, perhaps reflecting changing family dynamics or a desire to keep loved ones close even in death. The Valley of the Three Pits is a quiet testament to the lives and deaths of those who lived in the shadow of royalty, a place where secrets and stories are etched into the very stone. It offers a unique perspective on ancient Egyptian burial practices and the complex social hierarchy of the time. The Valley of the Three Pits remains a place of quiet contemplation, a hidden gem within the larger necropolis, waiting to share its stories with those who seek them.
Amenhetep III
How many pharaohs can boast they were worshipped as gods even before their death? Behold Amenhetep III, the ninth pharaoh