KV21
Monument Small Valley of the Kings tomb with female remains
Located in Egypt’s Valley of the Kings, KV21 is a numbered burial chamber studied by Egyptologists; visitors encounter the valley’s cluster of New Kingdom tombs and ongoing archaeological research.
KV21 is a small rock-cut tomb in Egypt’s Valley of the Kings on the West Bank of Luxor that contains the remains of two female mummies. The tomb is part of the 18th Dynasty burial landscape and has been the subject of scientific study.
The tomb itself is minor in scale compared with major royal tombs but is significant to researchers because of the two female burials it contains; the human remains have been examined for possible familial connections to other 18th Dynasty royals. The area of the Valley of the Kings has many such small tombs that are primarily of archaeological interest.
KV21 was recorded and investigated by Egyptological teams in the 20th and 21st centuries; its burials date to the New Kingdom, specifically the 18th Dynasty period. Scientific analyses have been used to explore the identities and relationships of the interred individuals.
The tomb is located in the Valley of the Kings on the West Bank of the Nile at Luxor (ancient Thebes), among the cluster of royal tombs that line the valley’s slopes.
- Human remains: Contains two female mummies dated to the 18th Dynasty; scientific studies have been used to investigate their identities and relationships to other royal burials.
- Access: As part of the Valley of the Kings complex, the tomb is treated as an archaeological site and is not normally open for regular tourist entry.
How to Get to KV21 #
KV21 is located in the Valley of the Kings on the west bank of the Nile at Luxor. From Luxor city center, cross the Nile by taxi or ferry and drive along the Deir el-Medina/Valley of the Kings road to the visitor area (about 5-10 km / roughly 10-20 minutes by car). The Valley of the Kings has a central visitor entrance and a short walk (minutes) from the parking/visitor centre to the tomb areas; note that specific tombs may be closed to the public at times.
Tips for Visiting KV21 #
- KV21 is not part of the standard Valley of the Kings public route and is primarily accessed for research; don't plan to enter it as a regular tourist - check the Egyptian Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities or the Luxor Antiquities Inspectorate for current public access policies.
- If you cannot visit the tomb itself, consult museum exhibits and published reports on KV21 and related research to learn about its finds rather than expecting a public viewing on short notice.
Best Time to Visit KV21 #
If public access is available, the cooler months (October-April) are the preferred time to visit; many KV tombs have variable or restricted access, so check with Egyptian antiquities authorities.
Weather & Climate near KV21 #
KV21's climate is classified as Hot Desert - Hot Desert climate with very hot summers (peaking in July) and cool winters (coldest in January). Temperatures range from 6°C to 40°C. Very dry conditions with minimal rainfall.
January
January is the coolest month with highs of 22°C and lows of 6°C. The driest month with just 0 mm and clear sunny skies.
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February
February is cool with highs of 24°C and lows of 8°C. The driest month with just 0 mm and clear sunny skies.
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March
March is mild with highs of 28°C and lows of 12°C. The driest month with just 0 mm and clear sunny skies.
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April
April is warm with highs of 34°C and lows of 18°C. The driest month with just 0 mm and clear sunny skies.
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May
May is hot with highs of 38°C and lows of 22°C. The driest month with just 0 mm and clear sunny skies.
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June
June is hot with highs of 40°C and lows of 24°C. The driest month with just 0 mm and clear sunny skies.
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July
July is the hottest month with highs of 40°C and lows of 25°C. The driest month with just 0 mm and clear sunny skies.
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August
August is hot with highs of 40°C and lows of 25°C. The driest month with just 0 mm and clear sunny skies.
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September
September is hot with highs of 38°C and lows of 22°C. The driest month with just 0 mm and clear sunny skies.
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October
October is warm with highs of 35°C and lows of 19°C. The driest month with just 0 mm and clear sunny skies.
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November
November is mild with highs of 28°C and lows of 12°C. The driest month with just 0 mm and clear sunny skies.
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December
December is cool with highs of 24°C and lows of 8°C. The driest month with just 0 mm and clear sunny skies.
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