7th November 2014
31c
Friday Egyptology Walk
31c
Sixteen of us enjoyed a wonderful walk through the Monkeys Valleys aside the Kings Valley, and to the tomb of Ay at its end. It is undoubtedly one the best valleys to walk with its stunning rock structures, formations and colours, the twists and turns of the winding track that manages to expose amazing vistas around each and every corner. The guardians here today were just great leaving us in peace to explore the valley, look at the hieroglyphs and take in the splendor of the place.
31c
Friday Egyptology Walk
31c
Sixteen of us enjoyed a wonderful walk through the Monkeys Valleys aside the Kings Valley, and to the tomb of Ay at its end. It is undoubtedly one the best valleys to walk with its stunning rock structures, formations and colours, the twists and turns of the winding track that manages to expose amazing vistas around each and every corner. The guardians here today were just great leaving us in peace to explore the valley, look at the hieroglyphs and take in the splendor of the place.
The Valley of the Kings is divided into two main branches: the more famous East Valley (Kings) and the West Valley (Monkeys). There is also a third valley named Dolman/Khouoy. Steep cliffs define the Monkeys topography, in which 3 maybe 4 tombs have been found including the Tomb of Ay KV 23 (WV23 and Tomb of Amenhotep III KV22 (WV22).
The eastern valley covers 2 hectares.
It is possible that Queen Ankhesenamun, wife of Tutankhamun who married Ay after Tutankhamun’s death and Queen Tiye, wife of Amenhotep III are buried in the Monkeys Valley near to the tombs of their husbands.
Ay Tomb KV23 or WV23
Ay tomb is located near to the end of the West Valley, also known as “Monkeys Valley” or “Wadi el-Gurud” west of Kings Valley. Monkeys Valley is a particularly impressive valley with amazing rock structures and colours. To walk this valley is to enjoy the peace and quiet and tranquility of this part of the Theban Hills. Valley of the Monkeys or Baboons takes its name from the First Hour of the Amduat within Tomb KV23. KV23 was the last tomb to be used in the Monkeys Valley. west
Ay was the 14th Pharaoh and the last Pharaoh of he 18th Dynasty – (1346-1343) BC - New Kingdom. He was not the legitimate hair to Tutankhamun. It is thought that KV23 was originally built for Akhenaten IV, Smenkhare or Tutankhamun. Under Tutankhamun, Ay held the titles of Vizier, General of the Chariots, Guardian and Regent of the Young King. He ascended the throne at the late age of 60-65 but was only to be a short reign of 3 to 4 years.
Belzoni re-discovered this tomb in 1816 but it was Howard Carter that fully excavated it in 1908.