The village of Qurna or Gurna is located near the holy mountain called the Qurn, a natural pyramid which is also believed to be significant in the choice of the location of the Valley of the Kings. Adjacent to the fertile land of the Nile, the village would have been above the level of the inundation. There are numerous caverns which have been used for homes and storage. In times of flood or when officials came to collect taxes or take young men for the army or the corvee (obligatory service to the state), these provided natural hiding places.

There are several small hamlets on the barren hills of the west bank at Luxor which sit beside and in some cases on top of hundreds of tombs. Together they comprise the village of Qurna or Gurna, which are located in a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

The local people have come to be known as tomb robbers and there are many tales of this activity in the past. Today’s inhabitants insist this is an activity that no longer exists. However, the Antiquities Authorities would very much like to move those villagers who still remain in Qurna somewhere else. Although there are people who want to move to accommodation where there is piped water, there is also a minority who do not want to leave the hillside. To emphasize the need to maintain the cultural identity of Gurna, an exhibit called Gurna Discovery has been opened in the village.

There is great contrast here. running water cannot be installed because of the fear that leaks would infiltrate into the tombs below. Yet, there are parabolical antennas in the village, one of which we can see in this detail from the photo on the left.