Tomb of Merenptah, Luxor

King Merenptah's tomb, located in the Valley of the Kings, was discovered in 1898 AD by the archaeologist Victor Loret. The tomb contained a set of nested coffins housing the king's mummy, with the smallest one at the bottom. Merenptah's sarcophagus, crafted from pink granite, was found open. Additionally, the tomb featured ornate decorations in the vestibule and water well room, including depictions of various Egyptian gods and excerpts from religious texts. Inscriptions on the walls portrayed scenes of offerings to deities and rituals such as the opening of the mouth ceremony.

Tomb of Merenptah has been open since ancient times and bears evidence of Greek and Coptic graffiti. Though floods have damaged the lower sections of its walls, the upper areas boast well-preserved reliefs. Its corridors are adorned with scenes from the Book of the Dead, the Book of Gates, and the Book of Amduat. Past a shaft lies a false burial chamber featuring two pillars adorned with depictions from the Book of Gates.

Ramses II's remarkably long life saw the demise of twelve of his sons before his own passing, leaving his thirteenth son, Merenptah (1213–1203 BC), to ascend to the throne in his sixties. Merenptah was initially interred within four stone sarcophagi: three made of granite (the lid of the second still remains in place, bearing an effigy of Merenptah) and the fourth, innermost sarcophagus crafted from alabaster.

In a rare oversight by ancient Egyptian engineers, the outer sarcophagus proved too large to fit through the tomb's entrance, necessitating the removal of its gates. While much of the decoration within the burial chamber has faded over time, it remains a striking space, featuring a sunken floor and brick niches adorning the front and rear walls.