Almost nothing remains of all the great public works that existed in Egypt, very little of the ancient Egyptian palaces and cities has survived. Almost everything we know about Ancient Egyptian society is due to the tombs and their contents. This is not accidental the tombs of the egyptian pharaohs were built with their eternity in mind. Egyptian tombs found throughout history give us faith that the Egyptians contemplated life after death.
In Supercurioso we want to tell you that for the Egyptians life after death was extremely important, for this arranged his grave as a reproduction of his earthly life so that his Ka (spirit) could continue to enjoy it. Join us to see some of the most impressive Egyptian pharaoh tombs in the world!
Tombs of Egyptian Pharaohs, three wonders that are still preserved
When we tell you that for the Egyptians life after death was very important, we are not referring to the average Egyptian, but only to the small aristocratic caste grouped on the throne to the royal court. The tombs of the greatest Egyptian pharaohs are great monuments to the past that are even related to the Gods of Ancient Egypt.
1. The Tomb of Tutankhamun (Kv62)
The meaning of these acronyms is king’s valley o Valley of the Kings, is the location where the sarcophagus with the mummy of Tutankhamun is located, which is one of the most important pharaohs of all Ancient Egypt.
This impressive tomb was discovered by Howard Carter, in the year 1922. According to Carter’s registry, it consisted of 4 rooms and more than 5,000 objects were found in them, including the famous solid gold funerary mask of the young pharaoh Tutankhamun.
Perhaps, this is one of the most important tombs of Egyptian pharaohs by the mummy that resided in it and the objects found around itmore than for the decoration that was quite usual.
This fact is probably due to the fact that in principle this tomb belonged to a nobleman, but it soon had to be adapted to the tomb of Tutankhamun, which gave rise to theories about the death of the pharaoh. Of all the chambers or rooms, the most important is the sarcophagus chamber where the pharaoh’s mummy was found.
Its great fame is not only due to the almost intact mummy found there, but also because, it is said, it was never looted; but this is a half truth. In fact, one of the most famous tombs of Egyptian pharaohs was looted at least twice after its discovery.
It is estimated that due to the bad archaeological practices of the time, some people managed to remove up to 60% of the jewels deposited in the so-called “treasury”.
2. Great Pyramid of Giza
We know that the Great Pyramid of Giza is one of the 7 wonders of the ancient world priceless, we sometimes wonder how the pyramids of Egypt were built, but besides that you should know that, its construction was ordered by Pharaoh Cheops, and it is the largest pyramid in all of Egypt.
It is estimated that it was built in the year 2570 a. C. and It is the most impressive construction of the entire Giza necropolis. The pyramid is made up of two chambers on the main floor and one in the basement. Due to the antiquity of this monument and its easy access, it is not actually part of the Egyptian tombs found, because being a historical landmark, the entire interior of the pyramid has been empty.
The most outstanding object they were able to remove from the Giza pyramid was the so-called Khufu’s funerary boat. She was found unarmed and it took several years to put her back together, she was a crucial element in the tombs of the ancient Egyptian pharaohs, since with them the deceased could cross over to the afterlife. The Great Pyramid of Giza is one of the largest tombs in the world.
3. The Tomb of Ramses II (Kv7)
This tomb belonged to Ramses II nicknamed the Great. Undoubtedly, one of the best known pharaohs of all Ancient Egypt and on which more information is available. Under the rule of Ramses, the best and most glorious monuments or temples that have survived to this day were built. His tomb, therefore, could not be less.
This is one of the most impressive tombs of Egyptian pharaohs in the world. It is one of the largest in the entire Valley of the Kings and experts say that in its heyday it must have been a marvelous construction. Unfortunately, it has deteriorated too much and its walls are in a rather poor state. That, added to the famous looting of tombs that have been stealing, little by little, all its content.
Most of the frescoes that adorned the tomb of Ramses II have been reconstructed and show precious scenes from the Book of the Dead. His mummy reflects the powerful man he wasdespite the fact that he died in his nineties at a time when life expectancy was barely forty.
As we mentioned in Ancient Egypt curiosities, death is just the beginning.
4. Cleopatra’s tomb
While there is still much speculation surrounding Cleopatra’s tomb, it is well worth mentioning.
In 2010, Dr. Zahi Hawass pointed out that after the temple of Isis of Taposiris Magna a necropolis with mummies of Greco-Roman style had been found, being curious the fact that all of them were found with their faces looking towards the temple.
A reverential posture that has led Hawass to consider that the temple should house the burial of a personality of real blood and of great importance, possibly queen cleopatra. A fact to which should be added the discovery of several deep holes inside the temple, three of which are thought to have been used as tombs.
types of egyptian tombs
We have much to learn about the origin and meaning of the tombs of Egyptian pharaohs, but we have reason to believe that the concept of the afterlife does not apply to “ordinary” mortals, but to refers only to the privileged few, due to their affinity with the pharaohs. Therefore, depending on the rank that the deceased had, he would be buried in a different type of Egyptian tomb. Let’s meet some of them!
1. Mastabas
Mastabas are recognized as a type of tomb made by a mound that quadrangular or truncated pyramid shape, with a brick or stone facade, erected on a funerary chamber, excavated or at a considerable depth under the ground and joined by a well. Inside this particular building there is a chapel for the offerings of the Ka and a secret niche to keep the statue of the dead.
2. Necropolis
The pyramids were not built as isolated buildings in the middle of the desertbut as part of immense funerary enclosures, with temples and other constructions that were the scene of great religious services, both during the life of the pharaoh and after his death.
As you may have seen, despite the multiple looting to which the Egyptian tombs found have been subjected, they still keep much of the glory and beauty of their time. They are impressive places of eternal rest, which in addition to being precious for the objects and decorations they contain, they symbolize the power of the pharaoh that they guarded.
Tell us, do you know other Egyptian tombs that were found? we read you If you want to continue reading, don’t miss our entry on how many pharaohs Egypt had, some of them are really curious.