And if you can't get to Cairo to see King Tut's tomb and all his worldly afterlife possessions, National Geographic has brought a semblance to you.
Although the presentation lacks any artifacts, the tomb story is told in pictures, maps, video and recreations in another "immersive experience," but something is better than nothing, yes?
Yes!
It was 100 years ago that the tomb of King Tut (1342 B.C.E. - c. 1323 B.C.E.) was discovered and several times since then that millions of people have seen some of his funerary pieces which have traveled the globe (including Washington, the last stop here at the National Gallery of Art, 1976-1977).
Besides National Geographic, museums around the world are celebrating the centennial of the discovery of the tomb located with about 5,400 artifacts and undisturbed by evil intruders which spells its significance, the only Egyptian pharaoh's tomb discovered mostly intact, one grave robbers had not plundered, although some contents were damaged by humidity and dry conditions.
At National Geographic/Photo by Patricia LeslieKing Tut became pharaoh when he was only nine years old, about the same time that he married his half sister. He died mysteriously about nine years later, perhaps of gangrene, the effects of a broken leg, or was it blood poisoning or something else?
The tomb's artifacts have permitted archaeologists to examine his life, that of other pharaohs, and the lifestyles of Egyptian royalty, leading to more questions and more research.
Biography.com says the king accomplished little in his lifetime. (But, in death..., oh my!)
At National Georgraphic a fascinating family tree is on a wall which shows King Tutankhamun's wife was also his half sister. King Akhenaten was the father of both. Inbreeding was common then/Photo by Patricia Leslie
The entrance to the National Geographic presentation starts in a closed "antechamber" with a pre-recorded introduction and film. Then, when the talking ends, a large door opens to reveal the beginnings of a cavernous, darkened hallway where visitors slowly wind their way on a a self-guided tour where wall displays tell the tomb's story.
To add to the experience, rushing water sounds and funereal music fill the hallways to create a sense of underground hallowed spaces.
Visitors have plenty of unlimited time to walk and read at leisurely paces since large crowds were absent, at least when I was there, but more may come, the closer it gets to the ending date of February 6, 2023.
At the entrance to King Tut, National Geographic has free beautifully designed, 24-paged booklets in full color and in different languages about the tomb. The booklet informed me that a "water boy" was the actual discoverer of the tomb when during Howard Carter's sixth attempt to find King Tut, the boy made room in the sand to prop water jars upright and he found a step which eventually led to the tomb.
When I visited and descended into the tomb in 2017, no mention was made of the "water boy."
To ease navigation during the exhibition and for study of various scenes, National Geographic has available at no charge, portable, lightweight seats which guests may carry and use throughout the show.
Immersive King Tut has already traveled to many major American cities with more on the calendar.
Cairo will "soon" exhibit the King's tomb and all its belongings when it opens its long-awaited Grand Egyptian Museum at the Giza pyramids, to be the largest museum in the world and about five years behind schedule.
(A note to the producers: What I'd like to see: Prince Harry's "Spare" as an immersive experience.)
What: Beyond King Tut: The Immersive Experience
When: Daily through Feb. 6, 2023, 9 a.m. - 5 p.m. The last tickets are sold at 4 p.m. Allow about an hour.
Where: National Geographic Museum, 1145 17th Street NW, Washington, DC, 20036
Tickets: From $12 (children, ages 5 - 12) to $20 (adults) with $4 discounts for seniors, military, students, and educators. Children under age 5 are free. Discounts for groups of 20 or more. Same day tickets are not available online but may be purchased on site, subject to availability.
For more information: (202) 857-7700.
Metro stations: Near Farragut West and North, McPherson Square.
patricialesli@gmail.com
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