Seattle Blog and Recent Site Additions
June 20, 2012
TUTANKHAMUN:
The Golden King and the Great Pharaohs
Pacific Science Center in Seattle Center
Photo credit © Sandro Vannini
I recently returned from a visit to Seattle and one of the highlights of my visit was an opportunity to see the blockbuster exhibition Tutankhamun: The Golden King and the Great Pharaohs on view at the Pacific Science Center. This is my review of the exhibition.
NAVIGATION INDEX FOR THE BLOG ARTICLE
WHAT IS ON EXHIBIT?
Over 2,000 years history of pharaonic Egypt is presented including a major presentation of 50 artifacts from King Tut’s tomb and more than 50 objects from other ancient burial sites.
WHEN IS THE EXHIBITION?
May 24, 2012 through January 6, 2013
BACKGROUND OF THE EXHIBITION
In the late 1970’s, the most visited exhibition in U.S. history presented over 50 objects from King Tut’s famous tomb and it drew millions to view the priceless artifacts. It was a spectacular exhibition and its highlight was the gold funerary mask of the boy king. However, one of the most precious artifacts in the exhibit (the scorpion on the head of Selket) was damaged while on tour and the Egyptian Parliament requested that the King Tut artifacts not be allowed to leave Egypt again.
After many years and a considerable amount of diplomacy, an arrangement was made to prepare a new exhibition about King Tut and the great pharaohs that would tour in the United States and Europe from 2008 through early 2013. Over 100 objects were chosen for the touring exhibition including almost 50 objects from King Tut’s tomb. The exhibition started touring in Europe in 2008 and the entire five year tour will conclude when the Seattle exhibit closes on January 6, 2013.
HIGHLIGHTS OF THE EXHIBITION
THE FIRST FIVE GALLERIES—THE HISTORY AND THE LIVES OF THE PHARAOHS
The exhibition is broken up into a series of seven galleries. The first five galleries cover the history of the pharaohs, the pharaoh’s family and private life, the pharaoh’s court, and the pharaoh’s religion. The following are two of the highlights from the first five galleries:
Colossal Statue of Amenhotep IV/Akhenaten
Photo credit © Sandro Vannini
One of the most impressive objects in the first five galleries is the Colossal Statue of Amenhotep IV/Akhenaten discovered in the Temple of Gempaaten. This seven foot tall sandstone statue has a commanding presence as it gazes out over the museum gallery. The pharaoh’s long face and long hollow eyes appear almost alien in appearance.
Colossal Statue of Tutankhamun
Photo credit © Sandro Vannini
This is the largest statue of Tut that has been found. It is made of quartzite and is over ten feet tall. Some of the original paint on the face remains.
GALLERY SIX: "THE GOLD OF THE PHARAOHS"
The sixth gallery is dazzling. Gold was highly prized in ancient Egypt and it formed the basis of jewelry and many other objects that ended up in the ancient tombs. There are several splendid gold objects on display. Here are two of my favorites:
Funerary Mask of Psusennes 1
Photo credit © Sandro Vannini
My personal favorite in the sixth gallery is this mask. It covered the head and chest of the King’s mummy. The mask is over 3,000 years old and is stunning. It is almost 20 inches tall and it is displayed in a glass case that you can walk around to admire the entire piece.
Collar of Neferuptah
Photo credit © Sandro Vannini
Another highlight from the sixth gallery is the Collar of Neferuptah. Neferuptah was the daughter of King Amenemhat III. Found on the body of Neferuptah, this broad 14 inch long collar was made of gold, feldspar, and carnelian. Key features on this piece are the three golden falcon heads.
GALLERY SEVEN: “THE DISCOVERY OF A PHARAOH: TUTANKHAMUN”
The last part of the exhibition contains objects from King Tut’s tomb. The gallery does a notable job of presenting the exciting story of the discovery and excavation of King Tut’s tomb. Over 5,400 items were found in the tomb. The 50 objects that the gallery presents give you a vivid image of the magnificent items entombed with the boy king. I just marveled at these items that survived in the only intact tomb from the entire line of pharaohs. Here are some of my favorite items on exhibit.
Funerary Figure (Shabti)
Photo credit © Sandro Vannini
Shabti figurines were placed in Egyptian tombs to work for the deceased in the afterlife. The exhibition displays a number of the shabti. They come in many sizes and were made of a variety of materials. This large (21 inches tall) figurine is made of gilded wood and features King Tut wearing a headdress.
The Canopic Coffinette
Photo credit © Sandro Vannini
This 15 inch tall miniature coffin is one of four coffinettes held in Tut’s canopic chest. The canopic chest held the organs of the person being mummified. Made of gold, carnelian, and colored glass, this is one of the most beautiful presentations in the exhibition. It is a delight to walk around and see this ancient object.
Gold Funerary Sandals
Photo credit © Sandro Vannini
The solid gold funerary sandals that were on the King’s mummy paint a strong visual image of the amount of wealth and beauty that would have adorned the tombs and mummies of all of the pharaohs. I stayed a long time gazing at these exquisite objects.
Canopic Stopper
Photo by DazzlingPlaces.com
The canopic stopper was used to seal a cavity in Tut’s canopic chest that held the King’s organs. The stopper is 10 inches tall, made of calcite, and features King Tut’s portrait. There were four of these stoppers on the canopic chest.
EXHIBITION SUMMARY
This exhibition is a must see attraction. It contains important and beautiful objects from one of the oldest world’s oldest civilizations. The items that are on tour may never leave Egypt in the future and so the exhibition offers a unique opportunity to view these historical treasures. Once you see the objects from King Tut’s tomb, you will personally experience the magical appeal of the famous boy king.
AUDIO GUIDES AND IMAX DOCUMENTARY MOVIES
For an additional charge of $6, you can rent an audio guide to enhance your exhibition experience. In addition, two IMAX documentary movies about the exhibition may be seen for additional charges. Check with the official exhibition web site for details about making a reservation for the IMAX movies.
TIPS FOR THE EXHIBITION
The Exhibition Catalog—Preparing to Experience the Exhibition
I recommend purchasing the official exhibition catalog before your visit. It was produced by the National Geographic Society. The catalog is extremely well done and the photographs are superb. A key feature of the catalog is that it was written by Zahi Hawass, a leading expert on King Tatankhamun who has written many books about the boy king.
The photographs and verbiage about the exhibition objects will acquaint you with what you will see on your visit to the exhibition. In addition, the catalog will be a nice souvenir of the exhibition after you have seen it.
Please click on the image below to purchase this book from Amazon.com.
The Crowds
One inevitable fact about major exhibitions is that they draw crowds. This exhibition will probably be sold out for its entire eight month run. When you purchase a ticket, you will receive a guaranteed admission time. At the entrance to the exhibition, you are moved with a timed group into the first exhibition gallery. At that point, you come face to face with the crowd of patrons visiting the exhibition. The advice I have in seeing this exhibition is to be patient. If an exhibit is temporarily crowded, just wait a couple of minutes and the crowd will typically thin down.
Another idea for avoiding the crowds would be to buy tickets for the first exhibition admission at 10:00. When the museum opens at 9:45, get in line to see the exhibition.
Viewing Tips
This is a large exhibition. It has over 100 objects to look at and a number of information displays to read. It took me around two hours to complete the exhibition.
One tip may sound a bit unusual but you may want to consider it. The most spectacular parts of the exhibition are the final two galleries that show you the gold of the pharaohs and the objects from Tut’s tomb. I found that I was a little museum weary and crowd weary by the time I got to those galleries. If I were to go again, I would make my way to the last part of the exhibition and see the final two galleries. After that, I would backtrack and see the first five galleries.
School Year Tip
The school field trips will resume in early September. The majority of these trips are on Tuesday through Friday in the morning. You don’t want to be near the Science Center and the Tut exhibition when the school kids arrive.
Other Tips
If you have a backpack or other large item, check it in a locker. You don’t want to carry anything around in the crowded exhibition spaces.
Once you enter the exhibition, you cannot leave and re-enter on the same ticket. Restrooms are not available in the exhibition space. Use the restroom before you go into the exhibition.
PLANNING YOUR VISIT AND BUYING YOUR TICKETS
Dates and Exhibition Hours
May 24, 2012 through January 6, 2013
The Pacific Science Center is open seven days a week. The hours for the Center are from 9:45 until 6:00. The first admission to the King Tut exhibit is at 10:00. You may enter the Pacific Science Center any time before your guaranteed admission time to the King Tut exhibit and enjoy looking around the Center. However, you will not be allowed to enter the King Tut exhibit until the time of your scheduled admission.
Reservations
Please click here to buy tickets online from the Pacific Science Center’s web site. You can also purchase tickets at the two ticket windows for the Pacific Science Center.
Official Web Site for the Tutankhamun Exhibition
Please click here to go to the web site for the Pacific Science Center
Please click here to go to our Seattle Alphabetical Index.