Valley of the Queens

A comprehensive plan for conservation and management of the Valley, part of the World Heritage site of Ancient Thebes with its Necropolis

Project Details

Wide vista showing tourists walking toward the entrance of tombs beneath rocky mountains

About

Goal

Egypt's Valley of the Queens was a burial ground, first for officials, and later for royal wives, daughters, and sons from 1550 to 1080 BCE and is a major component of the World Heritage site of Ancient Thebes with its Necropolis.

A number of problems and threats impact the long-term preservation and integrity of the Valley including lack of effective site management. The Valley of the Queens project aimed to address these issues through a comprehensive conservation and management plan.

Outcomes

  • An improved visitor experience that promotes good practice and contributes to preserving the site's significance
  • Training of seven SCA conservators and seven inspectors in wall paintings conservation and site management, including one month of experience at the Conservation Institute for inspectors and attendance at an international conference for conservators
  • West Bank Coordination meetings in 2006, 2007, and 2008 to promote integration of site management planning efforts
  • Detailed plans and tender documents for flood mitigation, tomb stabilization, and site and visitor infrastructure were completed by the Conservation Institute and Hamza Associates (Cairo) and issued in 2010. Implementation was interrupted by the 2011 revolution in Egypt, though conservation of the wall paintings in most of the decorated 19th- and 20th-Dynasty tombs was undertaken in 2012.
  • Detailed planning for flood control based on a new topographic map of the valley and a hydrologic study, providing essential information for drainage channels and lines around the tombs
  • Fully developed plans for stabilization and protection of all ninety-one tombs in the main valley, including constructed entry arches and shaft covers, new doors for chamber tombs, and relocation of bats to selected shaft tombs
  • An in-depth study of the composition and properties of the original earthen plasters applied to walls and ceilings of tombs in order to design compatible materials for their repair
  • Design specifications completed in 2012 for the presentation of tomb QV 55 (barriers, lighting, and ventilation) to serve as a prototype for interior presentation
  • Training of seven Egyptian authority inspectors that included assessment and implementation of temporary measures to address site and visitor management issues
  • Plans for site and visitor infrastructure include an orientation center, ticket office, security installations, toilets, site-manager office, parking, service road, tea pantry and toilets for drivers, trash collection facilities, upgrading of electrical supply, four shade shelters for the tombs open to visitors, and new paths through the site with edging walls and lighting

Background

The Getty Conservation Institute in partnership with Egypt's Ministry of State for Antiquities embarked on the Valley of the Queens project to undertake detailed and comprehensive planning for the conservation and management of the Valley and to jointly implement the results of the plan; provide training for Egyptian personnel in areas of wall paintings conservation and management of archaeological sites; and coordinate closely with other groups working in the West Bank to promote an integrated approach to conservation of ancient Thebes.

Partners

Ministry of State for Antiquities (formerly Supreme Council of Antiquities)