New Kingdom pharoahs,1500 BC on, were buried in well-hidden tombs in the Theban Hills to the west of Luxor

Fresco-like paintings line the walls and ceilings of entrances to tombs - craftsmen applied colors to walls, then covered with bees wax

Entrance to secluded tombs led to passages/antechambers until burial chamber

Three-headed serpent on Book of Gates wall, in largest Valley tomb

11,000 figures depicted on exquisitely-designed wall of battle scenes

Vast majority of tombs were plundered during pharaonic period

The king is making offerings to gods Horus and  Hathor

Horemheb in front of God Anubis (man with jackal head)

Sacred barque journey with Horus (hawk-headed god), son of Osiris and Isis

Sacred journey with Atum (god holding the sign 'Was') - creator of world

Tomb of Tutankhamun in burial chamber, small with parts undecorated - mummy is still in the tomb and has been re-sealed

King Tut died suddenly at 19 - buried in smallest tomb, but richest of all and only tomb left intact - discovered in 1922 by Howard Carter

Sun-disk, hawk-headed Sun God Ra - Merenptah tomb has Book of Gates and the Imyduat ("that which is in the Underworld")

Ram-headed creator god, Khnum, guardian of the Nile who brought the floods, in presence of a Ptah, god of techniques and art

Cartouche in most impressive tomb - "Son of Ra, Lord of Appearances"

Pharoah being greeted by the gods Horus and Anubis

Captured enemies (headless) in side chamber of  tomb of Ramses XI

Solar disk flanked by colorful vultures in longest tomb in rock (350 feet)

Well-preserved scene (Book of the Dead) - god Anumis is embalming pharaoh

Journey of the boat to the other world during night hours