Someone Needs to Invent a Working Time Machine

Waking up this morning, we knew we had an amazing day ahead of us! First thing was to check out of our hotel, then to head to the Colossi of Memnon.

On the way to the Valleys of the Kings and Queens, there are two huge figures off to the right. They are called the Colossi of Memnon. This is not an accurate name for them. Originally these 59 ft. tall statues were built along with a temple for Amenophis III. The temple and the statues were damaged during an earthquake in 27 b.c. The result was the statues began to “sing.” Local people thought they were hearing the lamenting of the goddess for her son Memnon, who died in the siege of Troy. The real reason for the song, is a splintered hole in the side of the right one. The morning winds would blow through and create the song.

Our next stop was the Valley of the Kings. Unfortunately, there are no photos allowed. Another unfortunate thing is that the ticket allows a person to visit only three tombs. Our amazing guide, Aboudy, asked us to have faith that he would pick the best three…and I believe he did!

At the beginning of our trip planning, we didn’t think we wanted to visit King Tut’s tomb. We had heard there wasn’t much still inside. Then we read some articles talking about closing the tomb at the end of 2011 due to the rapid deterioration. We figured, we had to do it. We were happy we did. King Tut still resides in his tomb, at least, his body does. That’s right…we saw his mummified remains. They keep them in the tomb because they are extremely fragile. In fact, one of Howard Carter’s assistants actually broke the middle area of the body.

We entered the tomb,and walked down the corridor. At the end of the corridor, we entered a room. To the right was the burial chamber with one of King Tut’s coffins. Go back to older blogs to hear more detail about those in the Cairo museum. This one was gorgeous as well. They really did craft these items brilliantly. There was gold, of course, inlay on the coffin, and beautiful artistry depicting the boy king’s face. The walls in the burial chamber were beautiful depicting reliefs about Tut’s death and entry into the afterlife. After viewing this room, we went back to the room on the other side of the corridor. In this room, we were able to view Tut, well, part of him. We saw his upper body and feet. The rest of him was draped with a cloth. Breanna saw the area of the skull that looks a little damaged.

Speaking of seeing amazing things dealing with King Tut, our tour guide’s grandfather was there when the tomb was opened. He actually saw it happening! How history runs in that family’s blood!

After visiting the tomb of Ramesses IV, we were leaving when the local guard asked where Bree and I were from. We answered politely, and he continued asking questions. He asked if we were sisters. With a language barrier, we just made it simple by answering, “yes.” then, he continued with an offer. He offered me the entire tomb for Bree’s hand in marriage. Bree nervously laughed while I sat for a moment thinking. I mean, you can’t blame me; it’s not every day someone offers to give you a tomb! In the end, I took the high road and said, no, I’m sorry, she’s married. Then, we showed him her beautiful ring. He understood and backed away, although in a slightly dejected manner.

We visited many other tombs, some of kings and some of queens. We saw the largest known sarcophagus in one of them. It is like 8 feet tall. Gorgeous reliefs and paintings were decorating these tombs. Our amazement continued throughout the valleys. Possibly more amazing than the work that went into them was the work at excavating the finds. It absolutely blows my mind to think about the time, and meticulous efforts that have gone into finding, excavating, and preserving these tombs. And there are more! Works continues, for archaelogists are convinced more lay below the golden sands of the Egyptian desert.

My excitement grew as we were approaching Hatshepsut’s temple. While teaching sixth grade ELD, I was able to take the kids on a field trip to an exhibit about her. I had taught about her and seen some artifacts, but this is her temple built into the mountainside! Walking from the car up the steps, it was surreal. I was at that moment going to her place of honor, built for her by her lover. The first and third floors were majorly defaced by her step-son Thutmosis III. The second floor still had things to see.

We first went to the left side to see the hall with many reliefs depicting the peaceful expedition she sent to Punt. On these walls, we see that she sent many gifts and wanted to start an open trade with the people. In return, they sent many gifts and 31 types of trees. Two of the trees still lie (although dead) at the beginning of the ramp leading to the temple. This relief is different from most other temples because it boasts of a peaceful mission. All other temples try to showcase pharoah’s military expeditions (men and their bragging about power and prowess!!!).

She also had a chapel built in the name of Hathor (goddess associated with fun, drinking, music, and love). We’ve seen many Hathoric columns representing this goddess; she’s more popular in Egypt than I would’ve ever guessed.

Of course, we see the birth story of Hatshepsut. But this story isn’t about a true birthing situation, it is about her divine birth. It basically shows that she was created on a pottery wheel at the hands of the ram-headed creator god.

There is also a chapel built for Anubis. In this chapel, all figures of Hatshepsut have been effaced. Thutmosis III gave orders to have the reliefs destroyed. Of course, he left a relief of himself in tact. There is one that he ordered changed to represent him instead of her; we know this because they forget to destroy the hieroglyphics saying whom was in the relief!

All over Egypt, there is constant restoration happening. It is evident that most of the statues and grounds at this temple have had much restoration completed. All in all, a breathtaking site…phenomenal temple built by her lover for a phenomenal ruler.

Speaking of her lover, he designed more than the temple. Recently, archaelogists have found a tunnel from his tomb in the Valley of the Kings to a mountainside next to her temple. Within this tunnel, there are paintings and depictions of their love, including one of their lovemaking!!! This is NOT seen anywhere else! Evidence shows she was very aware of the portrayals…so kinky of her!

Perhaps this was something that made Thutmosis III mad. After all, her lover was not his father! Only a time machine would answer that…maybe in the future.