Ay tomb Luxor Egypt tours, booking, prices, reviews
Ay tomb Luxor WV 23 belongs to King Ay, Tutankhamun’s successor. In fact, it found in the Western Valley. The Western Valley branches off at the entrance to the main Valley of the Kings. Moreover, only two completed king’s Tombs found here to date. The other being the tomb of Amenhotep III (WV 22). It recently undergoing re excavation and restoration. In fact, the burial place of Ay tomb Luxor discovered in 1816. It was by Belzoni at which time it appeared to plundered and mutilated in antiquity. In fact, the king’s mummy never found. The tomb is linear in plan. It shows more similarity to the Amarna Royal Tomb. Furthermore, it also does the later Theban Tombs than to previous Dynasty XVIII structures.
In fact, Ay tomb Luxor entered via two staircases and descending corridors. They lead to a square vestibule or well room, not decorated and with no shaft. Here the post Amarna style is evident in the straight axis of the tomb Luxor. It is where the well room leads into a large rectangular sarcophagus hall. This may have intended to be a pillared hall. It changed to be the burial chamber at the king’s death. This is the only decorated chamber. It is in a style like that in Tutankhamun’s tomb, by the same artists. The background is the now familiar golden yellow with black hieroglyphs.
Further details about Ay tomb Luxor WV 23:
On the south wall (to the left of the entrance) we see a barque with standards of Horus. We can also see the goddess Nephthys and the ‘Barque of the Ennead’. Below this in vertical columns of text are passages from the Amduat (the Book of What is in the Underworld). The king’s names have all erased from this text and all other instances in the tomb. On the east wall is a scene which is common in private Tombs. In fact, it is unique in a New Kingdom royal burial chamber. Pharaoh seen here with his queen, Tiye. He spears hippopotamus and hunting birds in the marshes in a canoe. Unfortunately the images of the king and queen lost, but the marshes and birds are still clear.
The north wall is more conventional. It depicts passages from the Amduat like those in Tutankhamun’s tomb. It is with twelve baboons representing the twelve hours of the night. The top register shows five deities preceding a barque with Khepri as the rising sun. Ay tomb Luxor often called the “Tomb of the Baboons”. The Western Valley known as the ‘Valley of the Monkeys’ because of this.
More details about tomb of Ay Luxor WV 23:
On the west wall, the Four Sons of Horus’ shown around an offering table. Moreover, two wear the red crown of Lower Egypt and two wear the white crown of Upper Egypt. Further along the west wall the king shown embraced by the goddess Hathor. It is with his ka before Nut who shown making the “Nini” ritual. Moreover, the king receives life from Hathor as Goddess of the West and finally embraced by Osiris. The king’s red granite sarcophagus can seen in the burial chamber. In fact, it now restored though not in its original orientation. Moreover, it’s shape and decoration is also like Tutankhamun’s. It is with the tutelary deities at the corners.
Entrance to Ay Tomb Luxor:
In fact, the tom Luxor is currently open. If going by taxi you may have to stop at the entrance to the Valley of the Queens. It is to collect the guard with the keys for the tomb Luxor. Ticket cost is 60 Egyptian pound.
