KV19

Welcome to KV19, one of the most aesthetically stunning and well-preserved tombs in the Valley of the Kings. This tomb was created for Prince Mentuherkhepshef, a son of Ramesses the Ninth during the Twentieth Dynasty. …

The entrance to KV19 is a relatively modest opening in the hillside, but it leads into a space of extraordinary beauty. The facade is simple, a clean cut into the limestone that provides a shaded transition into the mountain. …

Enter Corridor B, the main and only decorated gallery of the tomb. This space is a breathtaking display of ancient Egyptian art at its peak. …

Take a closer look at the colors on the walls. The palette used in KV19 is extraordinarily rich and well-preserved. …

The scenes in KV19 are deeply symbolic. Look for the representations of the 'Four Sons of Horus', who protect the internal organs of the deceased. …

At the end of the decorated corridor, the tomb suddenly changes. Instead of continuing into more halls, it ends in a blocked doorway and a roughly cut burial pit. …

KV19 was discovered in eighteen seventeen by Giovanni Belzoni, the famous Italian explorer and circus strongman. Belzoni was known for his incredible discoveries in the valley, and KV19 was one of his early successes. …

As we leave the vibrant world of KV19 and return to the golden light of the valley, we take with us the image of Prince Mentuherkhepshef and his divine companions. This tomb is a reminder that even in a time of political decline,…