Ay, the successor to Tutankhamun, had been a trusted advisor to Akhenaten but apparently cooperated in the restoration of the Amun cult and the revitalization of Egyptian economy and foreign policy. At the end of his 3-year reign he was succeeded by General Horemheb.

The small tomb of Ay is one of only four royal tombs located in the West Valley of the Theban necropolis and is seldom visited by tour groups. The Valley of the Kings proper contains at least 58 tombs.

The second ruler of the 20th dynasty, Ramesses III is usually considered to be the last great pharaoh of the New Kingdom. But all was not well. The workmen at Deir el-Medina, who built royal tombs in the Valley of the Kings, went on strike after not being provided their rations, prices rose drastically throughout the land, and damaging (though usually successful) campaigns were fought against the Sea Peoples. Finally, a palace revolt, led by one of his wives came close to succeeding.