The tomb of King Setti I is probably the finest ever built in the valley of the kings.

It is the largest of the pharaonic monuments.

It is the most complete in its decorative scheme and artistry.

And the quality of that decoration is unsurpassed by any contemporary or successor.

Among royal tombs, the monument of Queen Nefertari might be more famous for the brilliance

of its colours and the superb quality of its preservation.

But Nefertari's tomb was discovered much more recently

than SETI's, and it has undergone more extensive conservation and protection. SETI's monument has

suffered a little bit in the 200 years since it was discovered. But when you enter its halls,

corridors, and stairways,

you will inevitably be struck by its size, magnificence, and quality. Arguably, it is the finest

royal tomb ever constructed. SETI's tomb came to light in 1817, when a team of Egyptian workers, employed by a man named Giovanni Belzoni, were working in the hills west of Luxor.

So far, the team had made some impressive finds. The previous year, they had discovered the tomb of King I, the successor of Tutankhamun. Now, in October of 1817,

the Egyptian labourers were digging in the central valley of the kings. They worked on a hillside

facing to the south and east. So far, the work had been productive. On Friday the 10th of October, the diggers

uncovered the tomb of King Ramesses I, the father of Setti. That monument was small, just a staircase,

corridor, and a single chamber with the stone sarcophagus. But the paintings on the walls were beautiful

and well preserved. It was a minor tomb, insignificant in size and splendor, compared to others

already known in the valley. Nonetheless, Balzoni persisted on this southeastern hill, and he set his workers to digging a few meters up the road.

At a glance, the new spot was not that promising.

The Valley of the Kings experiences rainstorms and downpours that cascade over the cliffs and hills.

As the water comes down, it naturally follows rivulets and ridges,

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