Secrets of Nefertari tomb

Secrets of Nefertari tomb

One of the most astonishing and preserved tombs of ancient Egypt is the "Tomb of Queen Nefertari." This is found in the Valley of the Queens, close to Luxor. The tomb is built for Nefertari, tore an idolised queen by Pharaoh Ramesses II, and an unsurpassable piece of art in Egyptian craftsmanship exhibited by stunningly clear and highly detailed wall paintings relating various scenes involving the queen and her life's journey unto death. Its monumental beauty and superb craftsmanship render the tomb of interest to all people in general and history and culture enthusiasts in particular. Nefertari's tomb is said to be very possibly one of the very best examples of a royal tomb, with its vast wealth, piety, and artistic achievement presented to showcase all of ancient Egypt.

Who was Nefertari?

1. Her Role in the Kingdom
Nefertari was the chief wife of Ramses II. Crowned as the Great Royal Wife, this ambitious title was more than just a name allocating differences between wives. She might have been one among several wives and children, but Nefertari was his most appealing wife. She played an important role in his reign, often sharing monuments and reliefs with him as suggestive evidence of her influence over the court. As queen, she also held the position of mediator between the king and his society, speaking on behalf of the people.

2. Her Religious, as Well as Political, Influences
Nefertari was also a queen of religious and official rites and was thought important in mediating between the 'gods' and man. Like many Egyptian queens, she intervened on behalf of her subjects with the gods in ceremonies and other offerings to the sacred images. Along with being involved in most of the state affairs and diplomacy held in Egypt, Nefertari is portrayed through most of the artworks praying and offering the gods something in the name of her being that important role in Egypt's religious life.

3. Relationship with Ramses II
Nefertari, more popularly known as the wife of Ramses II, aka Ramses the Great, had the lengths of 66 years added: 1279-1213 B.C., during which Ramses II is considered the most powerful of Egypt's pharaohs. This love is visible through the many monuments and inscriptions that celebrate her. Perhaps the more widely known tribute to her is the Tomb of Queen Nefertari in the Valley of the Queens, one of Egypt's best-preserved and most beautiful tombs. A temple built for her at Abu Simbel stands testament to the deep love she had and the admiration he had.

4. Her Legacy
Nefertari's legacy continues to live on through the ages, not just through the tomb that is renowned as one of the finest examples of Egyptian art but also because of her considerable place in Egyptian history. The brilliant pictures and inscriptions in the tomb state her significance as both queen and goddess. The lavishness of the tomb set up for her by Ramses II clearly demonstates the reverence he gave to her and her influential part in the royal family in Egypt.
Nefertari's mortality was as vast as her beauty and wisdom, as well as her Egyptian contributions in diplomacy, coupled with an enduring presence in Egyptian art and monuments. The Queen's love for the arts and her religious devotion remain forever by virtue of the murals and inscriptions that can no longer leave the passion of people from around the world.

5. Her Death and the Afterlife
Before Ramses II goes to the beyond, Nefertari breathes her last. The very act of burying her in the Valley of the Queens is an indication of her importance. The painted scenes and inscriptions in this sepulcher impart imagery of the queen in the afterworld, indicating her image as a divine being and eternal. It serves as proof of the esteem in which she was held in life and the wish of her husband to have her comfortably settled in the hereafter, given by the quality and perfect decoration of her tomb.

Information about Secrets of Nefertari tomb

1. Masterpiece of Architecture and Art
Famous for being so enormous, it is really an architectural wonder. It has a long corridor that goes down to a tomb. In the nooks and corners are beautiful bright wall paintings which are actually scenes from the life of Nefertari, her being received into heaven, and of the great gods. Here, patterning is simply unexcelled, and the colors remain remarkably bright even after so many years. These pictures represent some of the gods while one has to be doing many things that were important regarding the rituals undertaken to ensure safe passage from life into the afterlife.
2. Lively Wall Paintings
One of the secrets of the tomb is within its beautiful and vivid wall paintings that almost cover every plane inside the tomb's chambers. In fact, they together portray innumerable different scenes from Egyptian mythology, among them that of Nefertari's spiritual journey toward the afterlife, frequently evoking her closeness to the gods, such as Isis, Horus, Ra, and Osiris, thereby emphasizing her elevated status and this divine relationship she shares with these deities. The artwork in the tomb is very much praised due to its color and detail, and the fact that it is remarkably well preserved was on account of the tomb's sealed nature over thousands of years.
3. Importance of Nefertari's Role
Queen Nefertari was that much revered during her lifetime, and in fact, her tomb could be taken for a reflection of her great significance. Ramses II, her husband, was known for a number of military victories and long reign but, above all, shows his great affection to Nefertari through this very impressive structure. This queen was famous both for her beauty and her part as a spiritual figure for the whole kingdom, which is supported throughout the art and inscriptions in the tomb. The sheer opulence of the tomb speaks volumes of the deep love Ramses II held for her.
4. The Inscriptions and Hieroglyphs
There are inscriptions and texts of hieroglyphs that are densely laden with symbolism and religious references. These texts that are written on the walls to guide Nefertari include what was needed for navigating the afterlife so that she would be able to join the gods and attain immortality. These prayers, blessings, and references to the Book of the Dead were part and parcel of the necessary guide for the deceased in ancient Egyptian funerary.
5. Preservation and Restoration
This is one of the major "secrets" of Nefertari's tomb, for it contrasts sharply with the preservation of other tombs of the same age. In 1986, the tomb was closed to visitors and patronage to avert further damage by hordes of tourists and the humidity developed by modern tourism. Thus, restoration was started to preserve its delicate artwork and conserve it from further deterioration. Great information about the art and beliefs of ancient Egypt is reflected from this particular tomb, as well as many others in the Valley of the Queens.
6. Discovery and Access
The tomb was discovered in 1904 by the Italian archaeologist Luigi Vassalli but was significantly restored and preserved only as of the late 1980s. It is today a favorite site for scholars and tourists alike interested in ancient Egyptian history. Allowing only limited visitors, the tomb could be in the condition of delicate preservation. Walking through the tomb and viewing the artwork from up close is a very profound encounter into the past and a peek into the spiritual and royal life of one of Egypt's most powerful queens.
7. Unique Paintings of Nefertari
Unlike many other tombs where the figure of the pharaoh or queen is usually depicted in a very symbolic and stylized fashion, Nefertari can be seen in a very human and intimate performance. As though in the company of gods, the viewer feels the touch of her beauty and grace, making her possibly one of the most elegant figures in Egyptian art. These can indeed be said to enhance her deification and mark her as an essential participant in the afterlife mythology.

The beauty, wisdom, and famed tie with the Pharaoh Ramses second make Queen Nefertari one of the most celebrated and idolized figures in ancient Egypt. Her legacy can still be seen in her tomb, constructed magnificently in the Valley of the Queens, and is considered a testimony to her divine status and acknowledgment in life. The vibrant artworks and intricate inscriptions still amaze visitors to the site, capturing all her glory, the life she led, and all the spiritual beliefs of ancient Egypt. 

You might also consider including it in your itinerary for a day trip in Luxor, as there is more to explore about the fascinating ancient Egypt. Sites such as the Valley of the Kings, Karnak Temple, and the Temple of Hatshepsut can show that there is so much history for one day in exploring ancient Egypt. Only time spent in Luxor can be said to bring the whole picture into focus regarding the tales of pharaohs, queens, and gods who gave shape to this wonderful country.