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Why were ancient Thebes and its necropolis named a UNESCO World Heritage site in 1979?

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temple of Hatshepsut — Thebes Temple of Hatshepsut at Dayr al-Baḥrī, Thebes, Egypt.

Ancient Thebes and its necropolis were designated a UNESCO World Heritage site in 1979 due to the area's immense historical and cultural significance as the capital of the Egyptian empire at its peak.1

The site encompasses a vast array of monumental architecture and archaeological treasures, including the temples of Karnak and Luxor, as well as the royal burial grounds in the Valley of the Kings and the Valley of the Queens. These structures, along with the numerous mortuary temples and the Tombs of the Nobles, provide an unparalleled record of ancient Egyptian religious beliefs, daily life, and artistic achievement. Few other archaeological sites have contributed as much to the global understanding of early civilizations, making the preservation of this legacy a matter of profound cultural importance.123