On the continuation of our journey to the Valley of the Kings we come by the house of Howard Carter. Probably not many of you will know him. However it was him, who discovered in 1922 after a long period of search the tomb of Tutenchamun. To my regret we can’t find enough time for a little break. I don’t want to boast but I have read a book written by Christian Jacq that deals with the long search and the backstroke of Carter. On the other hand driving up there only for a tourist? There you have to be a little more individual on the way. All the same.

Come in the valley, we pass swiftly the still rather sleepy touristic shopping mile, before to us the conscience question positions itself: Do not take photos or rather? Unfortunately, this is forbade meanwhile in all graves. On the other hand, I had called up before the vacation the Egyptian message in Berlin which it had permitted to me (unfortunately, only orally). In addition, more still, it would be no problem to go to the grave of Sethos I (father of Ramses for the tallness) which is one at the same time biggest and most splendid in the whole valley.

Sethi I? The grave is closed for many years, our tour guide is surprised, can be confirmed this, however, on site. Now well, for it are the burial chambers Ramses I (founder of the 19th dynasty and grandpa of Ramses the Great), Merenptah I (the 13th son Ramses II) and the general Ramses III (20th dynasty) accessibly.
In the visit is recommended, by the way, really to take a photo at least of the boards before the entrances. Since who does not pick out to himself already before the burial chambers which he wants to see or knows a lot rather well in the time of the old Egyptians, cannot say as a rule already after a little while any more which grave he has visited.

Besides you should carry enough water with you and take a deep breath before you go into a grave. Because the air in the canal is airless even in the morning. Primarily in the graves of the popular pharaohs as the case may be in the graves which are recommended as very beautiful by the tour guides the air is very airless. That is: there is more painting on the wall there is less oxygen in the air. Except the grave of Merenptah, for example. This one lies a bit apart from the other and there is in contrary to Ramses I. and III. no painting on the wall. However the lower room with the sarcophagus is beautiful designed and there is air as well as enough place for the few visitors.

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