Mystery, a photo from Luxor, Inland

Photographer's Note

The Valley of the Kings is a valley where, for a period of nearly 500 years from the 16th to 11th century BC, rock-cut tombs. It contains 63 tombs and chambers.

It is an impressive place. The burial chambers are at the ends of the sometimes long narrow corridors, hewn in rocks, beautifully painted. Bulent asked me an interesting question that of course I do not know the answer.

How could they illuminate it while painting?

It is a mystery. There was a conjecture among some archaeologist that in order to illuminate the interiors of tombs in carving and painting them, the early artists/artisans used a series of reflecting mirrors rather than lighting torches.

Strange that there are no photos on TE showing the interior of the tombs. I hope you will find it beautiful and interesting. See also Workshops (all in large format).

NickVu, ikeharel, pierrefonds, jhm, PaulVDV, mcmtanyel, macjake, jemaflor, COSTANTINO, adramad oznaczył to zdjęcie jeko użyteczne

Critiques | Translate

holmertz (101880) 2022-01-06 1:57

Hello Malgo,
I didn't take any photos inside the graves because the light was usually not good enough and flashes were forbidden. I didn't have a flash anyway, but did you use one for the WS?
I don't remember this particular grave, but maybe I saw it. I was reminded by my diary that in one grave, probably in the Valley of Nobles, the light was so complicated that the guard used a mirror to reflect the light on the paintings, one at a time. It was the only way to see them but very frustrating to see each one only for a short moment. I liked the graves of the Nobles for showing daily life in a way not seen in the graves of the Pharaohs.
These photos are all beautiful and interesting and very sharp, flash or not.
Kind regards,
Gert

lousat (138521) 2022-01-06 2:04

Ciao Malgo,I visited the Valley of the Kings at the time of the film, so I have few photos and really unthinkable. You have filled this scarcity of images of the magnificent interiors of the tombs, and the quality is excellent too, the classic total view in the WS could not be missing. I have no idea how they did to illuminate the interiors either, the most valid hypothesis remains, in my opinion, that of the torches. Have a nice weekend and thanks,Luciano

Silvio1953 (220443) 2022-01-06 4:00

Ciao cara Malgo, great view of fantastic old tomb, excellent wonderful colors, splendid light and fine details, very well done, my friend, ciao Silvio

pierrefonds (113474) 2022-01-06 6:37

Hi Malgo,

The interior of the tomb is impressive. The point of view is showing the details of the paintings on the walls of the tombs. The light is giving nice tints to the colors of the picture. Have a nice day.

Pierre

jmdias (114150) 2022-01-06 9:28

malgo

such interiors are difficult to take photos, maybe this is the reason of few images in TE. amazing artworks, I can see glasses to protect the murals.

take care

jorge

jhm (211734) 2022-01-06 9:59

Hello Malgo,

Your photos are really educational
Made in very difficult lighting conditions.
Also your two additional pictures are a good complement
Very well done, TFS.

Best regards,
John.

kasianowak (17648) 2022-01-06 11:08

Czesc Malgosiu
Niesamowite sa te grobowce, wspaniale ozdobione. Wydaje sie, ze jest tam bardzo jasno, ale to chyba zludzenie.
Trzy super zdjecia ktore pokazuja to miejsce pod roznym katem.
Pozdrawiam serdecznie
Kasia

PaulVDV (62746) 2022-01-06 11:43

Hello Malgo,
Perhaps other travellers found the quality of their photos of these tombs subpar.
It seems unlikely to me that these tombs were not often visited.
Very interesting paintings! I hope you had enough time inside for your visit and for taking pictures.
The outside view shows an impressive desert and mountain landscape.
Best regards, Paul

mcmtanyel (67507) 2022-01-06 17:59

Hello Malgo,
Three fantastic photos. The detail is well preserved after millennia. The overall view in the WS is appreciated.
Regards,
MT
PS. Yes, the trains were running.

ifege (46851) 2022-01-06 19:19

Hi Malgo
3 good interesting photos from the Valley of the Kings. Good ancient art work in 2 of the photos.
cheers
Ian

macjake (98256) 2022-01-06 22:37

Hi Malgo
this is like some sort of alien world...their life was vastly different to ours. what an amazing place, I really do have to get here some day. the photo came out very well despite the conditions you mentioned. thanks for this one
cheers
Craig

jemaflor (146168) 2022-01-06 23:25

Hi Mago,
Interesting site, well photographed, good light management, good sharpness, tfs for this virtual visit.

COSTANTINO (115407) 2022-01-06 23:29

Hello dear Malgorzata
this is the end of the week again...
have a pleasant new week end...
thanks for the sharing and generally
for the presentation...
this photo seems like a scenery
from a film from Egypt with hidden
mysteries!!!!
regards
Costantino

Gerrit (62042) 2022-01-07 3:24

Hello Malgo,
beautiful view inside this place with its low ceiling and spectacular paintings on the pillars.
Thanks and regards,
Gerrit

adramad (72524) 2022-01-08 11:01

Hello Malgo.
Wonderful photos of the Valley of the Kings, the royal tombs impressed me, I still remember the wonderful one of Seti I, normal that there are few photos in TE, it has always been forbidden to take photos in them, you were lucky or, as now there is less tourism , allow it.
Regarding how the tombs were illuminated to paint them, I have seen and continue to see many documentaries about Egypt, and all archaeologists and scholars agree that they did it with a series of mirrors, which from one to another, reflected the light captured , on the outside of the tomb.
A fantastic photo, with beautiful natural colors, very good lighting and excellent sharpness.
Very well done. I love it.
Enjoy the weekend.
Very best regards.
Luis.