Time is running out to see "KING TUT: Treasures of the Golden Pharaoh," which ends its run at the California Science Center in January. It's easy to take the existence of King Tutankhamun, as we've heard about him all our lives — a mostly forgotten Pharaoh until the discovery of his tomb in the 1920s made him the most remembered Egyptian ruler who ever lived. As the 100-year anniversary of the discovery of King Tut’s tomb approaches, Egypt has said this is the last time King Tut's treasures will tour outside of their home.
According to the California Science Center, this is the largest King Tut exhibition ever toured. Included in the exhibit are more than 150 authentic artifacts from King Tut’s celebrated tomb. Here's how the center is promoting it:
In a dramatic new presentation, dazzling multimedia complements rare artifacts to take guests on an immersive journey of the pharaoh’s quest for immortality. Examine exquisite rings found on King Tut’s fingers, opulent jewelry that adorned his body, and the gold sandals placed on his feet upon burial. Discover how the scientific analysis of King Tut’s 3,300-year-old mummy has revealed new information about his health and lineage, and how cutting-edge technologies have played a role in discovering new tombs and analyzing existing ones in ways never before imagined. The breadth of this collection, with three times as many artifacts than ever exhibited previously, is also unprecedented in that it focuses exclusively on King Tut’s tomb. All of the artifacts on display (except for the one 10’ temple statue) come from Tut’s tomb, the most intact royal tomb ever to be discovered.
The exhibition is also distinct in its narrative experience. The top floor galleries immerse guests in the story of King Tut’s journey through the underworld to the afterlife, and guests learn the role of these burial objects in the pharaoh’s quest for immortality. The final chapter on the first floor presents the story of Howard Carter’s sensational discovery and what subsequent scientific analysis has revealed about King Tut’s life.
Tickets for the King Tut exhibit are:
Adult (age 18-64): $29.95; $23.95 (member)
Child (age 4-12, 3 and under free): $19.50; $17.95 (member)
Students (age 13-17 College Students with ID): $26.95; $17.95 (member)
Senior (age 65+): $26.95; $23.95 (member)
Ticket price also allows for admission to see the Space Shuttle Endeavor. We visited earlier this month, and it definitely made an impression on the kids. I wanted to check it out because who knows when we'd ever get to Egypt, and I had remembered hearing about King Tut mania when Tut's treasures last toured the U.S. in the 1970s (spurring, of course, Steve Martin's famous "King Tut" song). The California Science Center itself is free, so consider this the price of admission.
Some photos from the exhibit during our visit:
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