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R.F.Morgan CC BY-SA 4.0 Wikimedia Commons

KV55

Archaeological Site

An Egyptian tomb in the Valley of the Kings near Luxor, frequented by scholars and visitors examining New Kingdom mortuary art and inscriptions.

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In this guide

KV55 essentials

Address: KV55, Valley of the Kings, West Bank, Luxor, Egypt
Website: egymonuments.gov.eg
Hours: Daily 6:00am-5:00pm (site hours; tomb access varies)
Admission: Included with Valley ticket (approx. EGP 300); access often restricted for conservation.
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About KV55

KV55 is a tomb in the Valley of the Kings on the west bank of the Nile at Luxor, associated with Amarna-period finds and complex identification issues. Excavated in the early 20th century, the tomb produced a mixture of objects linked to the Amarna era and a single male mummy.

The combination of grave goods and the human remains has led to scholarly debate about whether the burial belongs to Akhenaten, Smenkhkare, or another Amarna-period figure; the identification remains contested in Egyptology. Conservation work and study of the remains and objects have continued to inform the discussion.

The tomb is located within the Valley of the Kings archaeological zone on Luxor’s west bank, among other New Kingdom and later burials.

  • Controversial identification: Discovered in the early 20th century, the tomb contained mixed Amarna-period objects and a single male burial, leading to long-running debate over the occupant’s identity.
Things to Do
When to Go

Best Time to Visit KV55

Avoid summer heat; KV55 is often closed due to conservation or research priorities-check ahead.

Winter
November-February · 10-25°C (50-77°F)
Cooler and more pleasant for site visits and long days of exploration.

Weather & Climate near KV55

Climate

KV55'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 7°C to 40°C. Very dry conditions with minimal rainfall.

Air Quality: AQI 105 Unhealthy (Sg)
Best Time to Visit
MayAprilOctober
Temperature & Rainfall
Temperature Range
47°
Warmest Month
0°
Coldest Month
Monthly Conditions
Month Comfort Temp Feels Rain Sky Humidity Wind UV Daylight
January Excellent 7° - 22° 14° 0 mm clear 45% 2.4 m/s 1.0 high 10.6h
February Ideal 8° - 25° 16° 0 mm clear 36% 2.7 m/s 1.4 high 11.2h
March Ideal 12° - 29° 20° 0 mm clear 26% 2.9 m/s 1.9 very high 11.9h
April Ideal 18° - 35° 26° 0 mm clear 20% 2.9 m/s 2.3 extreme 12.6h
May Ideal 22° - 39° 30° 0 mm clear 18% 3.1 m/s 2.5 extreme 13.3h
June Ideal 24° - 40° 32° 0 mm clear 18% 3.3 m/s 2.7 extreme 13.6h
July Ideal 25° - 40° 33° 0 mm clear 20% 2.8 m/s 2.7 extreme 13.4h
August Ideal 25° - 40° 33° 0 mm clear 21% 2.8 m/s 2.5 extreme 12.9h
September Ideal 23° - 38° 30° 0 mm clear 25% 3.1 m/s 2.1 extreme 12.2h
October Ideal 19° - 35° 27° 0 mm clear 30% 2.7 m/s 1.6 very high 11.4h
November Ideal 13° - 28° 20° 0 mm clear 40% 2.4 m/s 1.2 high 10.8h
December Ideal 8° - 24° 16° 0 mm clear 47% 2.2 m/s 0.9 moderate 10.4h
Getting There & Around

How to Get to KV55

Same as other Valley tombs: cross to Luxor’s West Bank and either hire a licensed guide or take local transport to the Valley of the Kings. Site staff post notices about which tombs are open on any given day.

Tips for Visiting KV55

  • KV55 is especially sensitive - the tomb is linked to the Amarna period and sometimes closed for study.
  • If the tomb is open, listen closely to a guide: KV55's artifacts are central to debates about Akhenaten and Amarna-era succession.