This magnificent site contains royal burial sites dating from the 18th dynasty (1570/1320BC) and from the 19th dynasty (1320/1200BC) of the New Kingdom.

In the necropolis, the various chambers of the earlier tombs are built along a curving axis, whereas in the later examples chambers and corridors are arranged in parallel lines. More than 60 royal tombs are known, but many, such as that of Ramses II, are not yet accessible.

Notable tombs include that of Ramses VI, containing a well-preserved painted relief of religious scenes. Directly beneath this tomb is that of Tutankhamen, which was discovered in 1922 by Howard Carter.

The tomb of Seti I, also known as Belzoni's Tomb after the Italian adventurer who first entered it in 1817, is noted for magnificent astronomical in relief in its vaulted ceiling. The largest known tomb in the valley (called KV 5), the burial place of the sons of Ramses II, was discovered in 1995.