valley of the artisans (deir el-medina)

billyjimbob

The Valley of the Artisans is well worth a visit. Its easy to get to, as its one of the closest attractions to the ticket office for the West Bank and perfect to combine with a visit to Medinet Habu and the Ramesseum.The tombs give a different aspect to Ancient life than the Valleys of The Kings,Queens or Nobles, in so much that the paintings depict everyday life scenes...farming,fishing playing.There were only two tombs and the temple open which was a shame.....but take a short 70 yard walk past the Temple and see a huge pit 50m deep which was believed to be a search for water (well).There is a no Photography policy in the tombs to protect the integrity of the artwork from the constant flash of cameras.....sadly the so called "guardians" looking after the tombs are more than encouraging for you to take photos, so they can offer their hand for payment. Please respect the History by leaving it intact on the walls for future generations to enjoy.

NDillinger

Great paintings still in what looks like mint conditions. They were also more interesting and varied than most tombs that had standard religious themes. Only 2 tombs and 1 temple were open while we were here, however. This was also the only place we got asked for baksheesh - probably because there didn't seem to be as much structure here and the tombs are tiny and more intimate. Definitely worth going, even if there wasn't as much to see.

tinaBrixham

This is a fascinating place, the remains of the village where the workers lived while they were building the tombs in the kings valley. There are three tombs here that the workers built for their selves and are truly beautiful. They are small in comparison to the ones in the kings valley but are well worth a look. They are difficult to climb into so not for anyone with walking difficulties. But even if you can not make it in to the tombs the village remains and the remains of the workers temple are with the visit. There is a track from here over the mountains to the kings valley that the workers used to walk, again not for anyone with walking difficulties and make sure you take a bottle of water with you.

ajhorse21

Here, you can see the city and the tombs of the workers who supported the construction of the Valleys of the Kings & Queens. With a guide, you can learn about everyday life in the New Kingdom-- religious practices, foodways, social structure, etc. And the tombs are not only well-preserved, but they depict all kinds of scenes you would not see in any other type of monument. In my mind, for anyone interested in Egyptology, this is a can't-miss addition to the Valley of the Kings!Our guide warned us that this site might induce claustrophobia for some, but all three of us (who suffer from time to time from claustrophobia) found it very easy to handle.

jamiehay51260

Some of the most amazing tomb art can be found in the tomb workers tombs. Vibrant depictions of daily life that you could sit and look at for hours. Some tombs' artwork is almost entirely intact. You used to be able to wander around the village ruins here(20 years ago) but now it seems to be closed off from visitors, which is a shame because there are a lot of little features that give an insight into the daily lives of the people who lived here.

RickyCardiff

This arid valley was the home to the workers who toiled to make the Tombs in the Valleys of the Kings and Queens. Obviously after 3000 years or so all that remains are the outlines of the "houses" How they managed to exist in such conditions is hard to understand. There is also a temple to visit and access to two very small but ornate tombs requiring careful walking down and up a series of steep steps

ProfT

Maybe you have to be a historian or an archaeologist to love this as much as I do, but I wanted it to be part of my personal tour during this trip since I had used a book based on shard writings from here (amazing insights into everyday life) in one of my classes. You can go into a few of the tombs, which are stunningly painted on limestone, but even seeing the outline of the village is worth a visit. This was the village inhabited by the people who built the tombs of the pharaohs.It is true what others have said -- unless you plan this as part of a personally designed package tour you'll never see it because not enough visitors know about it.

722mustafag

splendid , less crowded and touristic but much more well adorned and well presserved than the valley of the kings ( overhyped)

GJM_10

Loved the site, most interesting to see how the tombs builders lived and died but do be aware of the official workers there, especially if it is a quite time. They lock everything up so they have to go with you. Then they grunt and point at things then ask for money. Just say no and tell them to go away.

DevonLioness

Often missed out by the 'package' tours (which charge a fortune and then try and take you to expensive shops that give kick backs to the guide), this is a real gem! There's a few tombs open - probably not ideal for those who suffer from claustrophobia, as they are small and with narrow (some quite steep) entrances but try and grit your teeth and press on! The paintings in the tombs are stunning and the colours are still rich and vibrant.This site also includes the remains of the artisans' village - the homes of the artists and builders who built the tombs of Pharaohs, Queens, Royal Children and Nobles. Plus a small but delightful temple dedicated to the goddess Hathor. If you are not travelling as part of a package tour (i.e. you don't have a guide), it is worth paying the baksheesh to the local 'guardians' as they will be able to tell you about the tombs.The tombs in the Valley of the Kings are remarkable and very impressive but the tombs of the Artisans are somehow poignant and show how they too strived to achieve their place in the afterlife. This site brought Ancient Egypt alive for me, as it relates to the everyday folk who lived in Thebes.

JaranBaica

Well worth a visit to the workers village to see where the builders of the tombs and temples lived and worked. There is a small and beautiful Ptolemaic period temple and the tombs of many of the workers which are beautifully decorated.

306kimberlys

Don't miss the newly-cleaned temple of Hathor! A lot of preserved color! Take a minute to look at the size of the houses and think about living close to the ground, with minimal furniture. More interesting to Egyptology buffs than the casual visitor. Realize we know the names of some of these people and even which houses they lived in. Look over the very nice house of the artisan Sennedjem in the corner of the village, then walk up the hill to his jewel box of a tomb.

teamt2014

After going through all the temples, valley of the Kings, etc. the paintings, to a non-egyptologist like us, begin to look the same - mythical journeys bridging the life beyond and mysterious gods, and ... stuff.But here is a great view of daily life, where and how people lived, and the tomb that is open here has fantastic paintings inside. I HIGHLY recommend this.Please note, that it is a very steep and narrow descent into the tomb, and while well lit, its not for those who are elderly, or are unable to duck and crawl and navigate tight spaces.

匿名

Slightly off the main tourist drag, but do not miss this spectacular site. The two tombs that we visited aren't for the claustrophobic but worth seeing. They depict daily life, farming and musical instruments. The colours are extraordinary and in much better nick than the valley of the kings. The near by temple dedicated to the goddesses Hathor and Maat is also well worth a visit.

jamesCambridge

To see the paintings on the wall of the tomb explains how people lived and to see how they lived outside with their stone houses. Need a good Guide. Our was great and learned.