The Valley of Workers and Colosssi of Memnon

Continues from The Woman Power in Ancient Egypt-Queen Hatshepsut

The visit to queen Hatshepsut’s temple had brought severe burns on our skin. I had had enough of the trip and looked forward to get back home. Wait; there are two more places to visit-the valley of workers and the Colossi of Memnon.

The ruins at the Valley of workers

The valley of workers was deserted as we reached the place. This was the place where the builders of the ancient representations of Egypt had once lived! This place must have been crowded with echoes, laughter, pangs and all other human emotions in those days.

The Pharaohs used to start the construction of their tombs during their lifetime itself. For this, they used to bring the artisans from faraway places and provided the workers with shelter, food and necessary needs. The works of the tomb might go for a lifetime and the workers started to have their own families in Egypt.

Soon, the first arrivals started to get old, and for their after death rituals, they started to construct miniature tombs resembling their masters. Often, the worker who leads the other workers used to get these master tombs. Some of them are still well preserved for the coming generation to witness their pride.

Entrance to the tomb

I was determined not to get out of the car as we reach the valley of workers. Enough had been seen and no more troll under the blazing sun. Some tombs stood amidst the ruins of old houses. They mimicked the shape of pyramids and looked as anthills compared to the majestic Pyramids.

We got down and waited at the lounge while Nariman went to get the tickets.  I had asked her not to get the tickets for me. But, she returned with the tickets for both of us and offered a hand in taking care of Shreya. Well, that was a relief indeed. 

We went down into the tomb that again resembled the tombs that we had visited at the Valley of Kings. The main difference was that this tomb was smaller in its area and had fewer paintings on its walls. As I came out, my imagination prompted me even to get the smell of sweat in that tomb!

We drove back to the comfort of the hotel and stopped on the way at the Colossi of Memnon. The twin statues of the Pharaoh Amenhotep III made in quartzite sandstone sat majestically in an otherwise barren land.  The hero of the Trojan war, who got ultimately killed by Achilles always invoked his subjects even after his death.

Colossi of Memnon

It seems, quite synonymous with his name Memnon, which means “Ruler of the Dawn,” the statue used to make sound in the early mornings. Many people considered it as the voice of Memnon’s ghost while others attributed scientific reasons for that. However Memnon stopped singing lately. Now, the statues are abode for many fluttering doves. As we looked on, the doves continued their routine not even caring for the umpteen visitors who gazed at their home in reverence.

Continues in The Stroll in the Streets of Egypt