The Valley of the Queens lies on the southern edge of the Theban hills. It is known locally as Biban el Harem - Gates of the harem, but its original name was "Place of Beauty". Most of the tombs are simple pits with no chapels but others consist of a straight corridor and a burial chamber. Many have been spoilt through water damage or vandalism and tomb robbery but there are several tombs open to the public.
This valley contains the burials of Royal Children as well as wives of kings. The most famous tomb here is that of Nefertari, favourite wife of Rameses II, but unfortunately this is now closed to the public because of the fear of damage to its magnificent paintings caused by a rise in humidity.
The pictures inside show the love that Rameses had for his wife and are reputedly the most beautiful tomb paintings in either the king's or queen's valley. The tomb slopes down into the burial chamber which has four supporting pillars decorated with a variety of different gods.
One of the tombs that is open to the public is that of Queen Tyti who is thought to be the wife of Rameses III. She is referred to as "Great Royal Wife","Kings Daughter,"kings Mother" and "Kings Sister". The paintings in her tomb are now faded but were once splendid.
Next to Tyti's tomb is Prince Khaemwaset's tomb, which folows a straight axis leading to the burial chamber. He was one of the sons of Rameses III and although he died young, was chief fan bearer to the Pharaoh and a priest of Ptah. Queen Tyti was thought to have been his mother. Paintings show him still with his sidelock being presented to the gods by Rameses III.
Other paintings show Osiris and the goddesses Nephthys and Neith.
Next to Khaemwaset's tomb is his brother Amun-her- Khopshef's, which follows a similar shape. Again, the paintings show him being presented to the gods by his father Rameses III. He is shown with his sidelock signifying that he was still a child and it is thought he died at about 15 years of age.
Again Prince Amun her Khopshef was a fan bearer to the king, a position that many royal princes seemed to hold. In this tomb a fifteen week foetus was found and originally was thought to be the miscarried child of Queen Tyti, however it was found out later that the foetus had been put in the tomb in the 20th century.
