20 Egyptian Ruins Spread Across the Nile

The Valley of the Kings hides royal power underground. Instead of pyramids rising in the open, New Kingdom pharaohs carved tombs deep into a dry desert valley on the west bank of the Nile. Tutankhamun made it world-famous, but the valley holds many royal tombs, including those of major Ramesside kings. The landscape is harsh, quiet, and almost suspiciously plain. That was the strategy. Treasure prefers discretion.