The luxurious lives of the Pharaohs are well documented but what is still a mystery is the daily life of regular ancient Egyptian citizens.
Just over the ridge within walking distance of the Valley of the Kings is a much humbler but equally important site. The ruins of the village of Deir el-Medina is where workmen and their families lived 3,000 years ago.
The village was a multicultural community of Egyptians, Nubians and Asians and was about 68 households large. This village of skilled workers and their families worked as stone-cutters, artists and administrators for the nearby royal tombs and temples.