Valley of the Queens

The Valley of the Queens, in Arabic Wadi al-Malakat, in ancient times was called Ta Set Neferu, a phrase that can mean The Place of of Beauty and also The Place of Royal Children and Wives. It was used in the New Kingdom as a burial place for several royal wives, princesses, and Princes.

The most impressive tomb at Valley of the Queens and open today for visitors is that of Amon-Hir-Khopshef

Valley of the Queens| Tomb of  Amon-Hir-Khopshef

This son of king Ramses III died too young to pass into the divine presence of the gods and the underworld unaccompanied. The scenes show Ramses III leading the nine year old youth and introducing him to the various deities. The boy wears a side-lock of hair, indicating youth, and carries his feather of truth, as he follows his father

On the left-hand wall of the tomb chamber, traveling clockwise, we see Ramses III, followed by his young prince, offering incense to Ptah and then introducing his son to him. Ramses then presents the boy to Duamutedf and to Imseti. Who conducted the pair to Isis.

Note that Isis looks over her shoulder to the advancing pharaoh she holds him by the hand.

On the right hand wall Ramses and his son are conducted to Hathor, Hapi, Shu and Nephthys who puts h er hands beneath the chin of Ramses.

There was no mummy of the boy in the sarcophagus but instead the fetus of a six-month-old child. It is suggested that the queen was upset by the deathnof her son, that she miscarried the baby.