The Valley of the Kings is an Egyptian archaeological locality in the hills immediately behind the West Bank of Luxor. As such, it is one of the most remarkable archaeological destinations in the world - the burial place of most of the pharaohs of Egypt of the New Kingdom.

The tombs within the Valley are designated by a KV number, standing for "King's Valley". The tomb of Tutankhamun, for example, is also known as KV62. On the other hand, the tombs in the Western Valley have been catalogued under WV numbers (WV = Western Valley).

Archaeological excavations continue periodically within the Valley of the Kings; perhaps best known is the American University of Cairo's excavation of KV5, the tomb of the Sons of Ramesses II. Director of this excavation is Professor Kent Weeks, also director of the Theban Mapping Project, granted the permit to map the Theban Necropolis in its entirety - a project now well advanced.

- Wikivoyage