Sunday, January 22, 2023

Adieu (soon) to 'King Tut' at National Geographic


At the entrance to King Tut's simulated tomb at National Geographic/Photo by Patricia Leslie

History.com says the discovery of King Tut's tomb 100 years ago is "the greatest archeological find of all time," while Wikipedia calls it "the best-preserved pharaonic tomb ever found in the Valley of the Kings. 


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.

Inside Immersive King Tut at National Geographic/Photo by Patricia Leslie

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! 

A reproduction of the Dec. 12, 1922 page from the Times of London and its explosive pictures and articles upon the discovery of King Tut's tomb, pictured at National Geographic/Photo by Patricia Leslie
The entrance to King Tut’s tomb from a newspaper photograph at 
National Geographic/Photo by Patricia Leslie

An enlargement of the photograph of a luncheon party on site after the tomb was discovered, pictured in the London Times, Dec. 12, 1922. ANational Geographic/Photo of a photo by Patricia Leslie


Some of the artifacts found in the King's antechamber, to help the King on the way to the afterlife. It took ten years to record all the contents. A photograph of a photograph at National Geographic/Photo by Patricia Leslie


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. 

ANational Geographic/Photo by Patricia Leslie
ANational Geographic/Photo by Patricia Leslie
ANational Geographic/Photo by Patricia Leslie
ANational Geographic/Photo by Patricia Leslie

King 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 sisterKing Akhenaten was the father of both. Inbreeding was common then/Photo by Patricia Leslie


The nine-foot high golden sarcophagus in King Tut's tomb held as many as eight coffins which nested one inside the other. This reproduction at National Geographic is similar in size to the actual one in Cairo/Photo by Patricia Leslie
A copy of King Tut's gold mask,  the most recognizable symbol of Ancient Egypt and weighing in at 22 or 25 pounds (depending upon your source), pictured at National Geographic/Photo by Patricia Leslie

At National Geographic all King Tut merchandise is priced at half off. Scarves, books, cups, and reproductions of period postcards are some of the products available/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 Museum1145 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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