Tomb of Queen Nefertari

Queen Nefertari was one of Ramses II's wives. This tomb is considered to be the most beautiful in Egypt. Every inch of the wall in the tomb is adorned with colourful scenes of Nefertari in the company of the gods and texts from the Book of the Dead.

It was discovered in 1904. Conservation work was done by the Getty Conservation Institute (1986-1992). It is important to note that the institute has cleaned the walls of the salt crystals that had formed over the centuries and stabilized the plaster. They are adamant that the tomb has not been subjected to 'restoration' i.e the addition of missing colour. No new paint was added. What can be seen is the original work. Where the original decoration has disappeared, blank patches of plaster now cover the gaps.

Visitors are only allowed 10 minutes inside the tomb

We were inside much longer since it was empty

Nefertari is depicted wearing a transparent white dress and a golden vulture head-dress

Nefertari and Thoth

Osiris

The tomb guards welcoming us 

Thanks for coming

Isis spreading her wings

Anubis

Nefertari playing senet (a board game)

Nefertari offering two bowls of milk to Hathor

Nefertari's cartouche

Nefertari being led by Horus to Ra

Nieth

Serket

Nefertari making offering to Ptah

This cow headed woman is Hathor

Nefertari making offering to Atum

Sky bull and the seven cows