New Kingdom- 1552-1069 BCE
During the New Kingdom, Thebes became the capital and religious center of Egypt. This is comprised of Luxor and Karnak, on the east bank of the Nile, the Valley of the Kings and the mortuary temples, which are located on the west bank. The Necropolis, the city of the dead, was where most pharaohs had their tombs built. The tombs were built into the valley walls on the Western bank of the Nile. The king's proper names and titles were inscribed in his tomb along with his images and statues. Between the 18th and 20th Dynasties, the kings deserted the Memphis area and built their tombs in Thebes. The pyramid style tomb was also abandoned. Most of the tombs were cut into the limestone following a similar pattern. The texts in the tombs were from the Book of the Dead, the Book of the Gates and the Book of the Underworld. Most pharaohs and their wives were buried in the Valley of the Kings Valley of the Queens, along with many nobles. Amun, the god of creation, became the most important deity and king of the gods during the New Kingdom; most pharaoh had temples built to him. Routes from the temples to the Nile were lined with sphinxes. The temples were surrounded by high walls, and the gates were flanked by huge pyramidal towers or large statues