These Extraordinary Archaeological Sites Are a Portal to Ancient Egypt
The Valley of the Kings and other bucket-list Egyptian destinations offer a glimpse into millennia-old majesty and artistry
A man rides a camel in view of the remarkable Egyptian pyramids. Eman Abdelkader, Giza, 2021
Text by Jeff Campagna and Tracy Scott Forson
May 2, 2025
Is it possible that the builders of Egypt’s great pyramids expected them to be tourist attractions eons later, drawing spectators from around the globe? We may never know, but the awe-inspiring structures that dot the Valley of the Kings in the deserts of Cairo and Luxor have been attracting curious travelers for centuries.
Their majesty is only matched by their mystery. How were they built? Who determined which Egyptians were buried in the tombs? What afterlife belief led to their care and reverence for the dead? Leave historians and researchers to grapple with those questions. You can just sit back and enjoy these 15 images of ancient Egypt from the Smithsonian Magazine Photo Contest.
Ramses II was one of the most famous and powerful pharaohs in all of ancient Egyptian history, which explains why his statue at Abu Simbel is colossal. Jaelene Taylor, Aswan, 2023
The rock temples of Ramses II and Merenptah at the shore of Nile River are made of high-quality sandstone. Anders Andersson, Aswan, 2015
At the Pyramid of Djoser, a narrow doorway serves as a portal to a different time. Yasser Mobarak, Giza, 2021
Two tourists check to make sure they are successfully chronicling their trip to the Karnak Temple. Kris Arzadun, Luxor, 2019
Passengers in a hot-air balloon soar over the west bank of the Nile and the Valley of the Kings while the sun sets. Nikki Passchier, Valley of the Kings, 2011
More:
https://www.smithsonianmag.com/travel/these-extraordinary-archaeological-sites-are-a-portal-to-ancient-egypt-180986475/
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