KV38

Welcome to KV38, a site of immense historical and symbolic importance within the Theban Necropolis. This tomb is widely believed by Egyptologists to be the very first royal burial place constructed in the Valley of the Kings. …

The descent into KV38 begins with a steep, rugged entrance that plunges quickly into the limestone bedrock. Unlike the wide, grand stairs of later tombs, the entrance here is narrow and utilitarian, reflecting its original need…

The corridor opens into a small, irregularly shaped antechamber. This room is a fascinating study for archaeologists because its uneven walls and rough ceiling suggest that the masons were still learning how to handle the geology…

Finally, we reach the burial chamber, the spiritual and physical heart of KV38. This room is slightly larger than the antechamber and was the final resting place for Thutmose I. …

While the original yellow quartzite sarcophagus of Thutmose I was later moved to KV20, its presence once defined this chamber. Quartzite was a stone of immense religious significance, associated with the sun god Ra because of its…

To fully appreciate KV38, one must understand the man who was buried here. Thutmose I was not just any pharaoh; he was the architect of the Egyptian Empire. …

As you ascend from the depths of KV38 and return to the bright, sun-drenched silence of the Valley of the Kings, take a moment to look back at the humble entrance you have just exited. It may not have the massive pillars of KV17…