For the first time in 30 years the treasures of ancient king Tutankhamen have left Egypt to go on a mini-world tour and are currently on display in London - the only European city to host the exhibition - until the end of August 2008.
The marvellous exhibition features almost 130 artefacts from the tomb of King Tutankhamen and other Pharaohs that were interred almost 3,500 years ago in the fabled Valley of the Kings. On display are some incredible items from the boy king’s tomb such as the royal diadem - the royal crown that Tutankhamen wore while he was alive - and one of the jewel encrusted golden coffinettes that contained the mummified king’s internal organs.
However, the item most closely associated with King Tutankhamen, the magnificent golden death mask will be not travelling with the exhibition as it is prevented by Egyptian law from leaving its homeland. There is not a copy of the mask on display as all the items are authentic artefacts, but one of the display items, the canopic coffinette features artwork very similar to the mask. However, anyone wishing to view the death mask will have to travel to Cairo and visit the Egyptian Museum, from where this exhibition’s artefacts have been loaned.
King Tut reigned over the Egyptians for a period of nine years, approximately 3,300 years ago. He ascended to the throne as a child and suffered a premature death in his teenage years, the cause of which has been subject to much speculation since his tomb was discovered by British archaeologist Howard Carter in 1922. Although King Tut’s reign was unremarkable it was the discovery of his undisturbed tomb and all the treasures contained within that has guaranteed his immortality. Soon after the discovery certain events happened that led many within Egypt to proclaim that disturbing the tomb had unleashed an ancient curse. It was said that all involved would meet horrible deaths, lending a degree of intrigue to the discovery story, but the ‘curse’ has long been discounted.
Visitors should allow at least an hour to 90 minutes to see everything on display, although they are free to stay for as long as they like. However, don’t bother taking a camera inside the exhibition because photography of the artefacts is not allowed, so anyone wanting photographic memories should buy a guidebook.
Although the treasures of Tutankhamen have been taking a series of
short breaks throughout the world they will return to their homeland of Egypt, after visiting Dallas in 2009. The exhibition opened at the O2 in London on November 15th and runs until 30 August 2008.
Adam Singleton is an online, freelance journalist and keen gardener. He lives in Scotland with his two dogs.
