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. At National 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. 

At National Geographic/Photo by Patricia Leslie

At National Geographic/Photo by Patricia Leslie

At National Geographic/Photo by Patricia Leslie

At National 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 sister. King 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 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

 

Nancy Pelosi was at National Geographic

Speaker of the U.S. House of Representatives Nancy Pelosi at National Geographic, Oct. 23, 2019/photo by Patricia Leslie

It was the day of her brother's funeral but still, the Speaker of the House, Nancy Pelosi, the third most powerful person in the United States, kept her date at National Geographic to help launch the institution's new exhibition, Women: A Century of Change.

In National Geographic's auditorium, Ms. Pelosi addressed hundreds who stood and applauded when she entered and who stood and applauded when she left. The speaker noted that her daughters, Alexandra and Nancy, were present.

In conversation with Susan Goldberg who is the editorial director of National Geographic's publications and the first female editor-in-chief of the magazine, Speaker Pelosi talked informally about her entry into public life and, based on her experiences, she had some recommendations for those who may consider it.

At first in the public arena, she was shy.  The "best advice" she has for those listening: "Be yourself" and ask: "What is your 'why'?"

Ms. Pelosi was first elected to Congress in 1987 when only 23 of 435 representatives were women.  Now, there are 102, and some are Republicans. "We need more women" in Congress, she said.  There is no glass ceiling.
 

When she was first elected speaker in 2007 (and again in 2009 and 2019), George Bush was president, and she said then:  "At last, we have a woman at the table.

"There need to be many women at the table," she said to applause.

When members of the audience weren't clapping, they sat spellbound.

Speaker of the U.S. House of Representatives Nancy Pelosi with National Geographic's Susan Goldberg, Oct. 23, 2019/Photo by Patricia Leslie
 
Speaker Pelosi and Ms. Goldberg sat in front of a few enlarged photographs from Ms. Pelosi's life which included the "Mona Lisa" of political Washington, the photograph of Speaker Pelosi taking command at a White House meeting last month with President Trump and other men seated at a large table.

Speaker Pelosi chats with National Geographic's Susan Goldberg with a famous photograph as backdrop, Oct. 23, 2019/Photo by Patricia Leslie

George Washington appointed Commander in Chief at the Second Continental Congress, June 19, 1775, Philadelphia/Library of Congress, Wikimedia Commons

Ms. Pelosi laughed a lot and was obviously comfortable in the surroundings. She looks better in real life than she does in photographs or on television.
 

"You have to be ready to take a punch," she laughed and the audience laughed with her.  

In one form or another, she recommended that those listening "follow your passion."

Speaker Pelosi chats with National Geographic's Susan Goldberg Oct. 23, 2019 in front of a photograph of Speaker Pelosi with her mother/Photo by Patricia Leslie


If she ruled the world, "the one thing" she would do: "Educate women and girls." 

"Anything is possible. When women succeed, the world succeeds," and the audience loudly proclaimed its agreement as Speaker Pelosi exited the stage.

 

Women: A Century of Change opens at National Geographic/photo by Patricia Leslie

Women: A Century of Change opens at National Geographic/photo by Patricia Leslie

The National Exhibition exhibition features its photographs of women from the last century. A separate gallery is devoted to 24 women who herald the future and includes Speaker Pelosi and Christine LaGarde.

Every attendee at the launch event received a copy of the new National Geographic magazine which features the exhibition and begins a year of women's coverage to celebrate the 100th anniversary of women getting the right to vote in 1920.

What: "Women: A Century of Change illuminates, celebrates and reflects on where the world’s women have been, where they are now and where they are going."

When: 10 a.m. - 6 p.m. daily through Spring, 2020. The last ticket is sold at 5 p.m.

Where: National Geographic, 1145 17th Street, NW, Washington, D.C. 20036

Tickets: Adults: $15; seniors, military, students: $12; children ages 5-12, $10; children under age 5 are admitted free. No charge for contributing members.
 
Closest Metro stations: Farragut West (Orange Line) and Farragut North (Red Line)

For more information: 202-857-7700

patricialesli@gmail.com

Egypt's 'Queens' rule D.C.

                                                                                                                                                                            /Photo by Patricia Leslie
Who doesn't want to go to Egypt?  Land of ancient mysteries, pyramids, the afterlife, kings and queens, the Nile, a rich past.

You don't have to go all the way to Egypt to catch a glimpse of its history and learn about its women rulers who governed the country for hundreds of years. Many of their remnants have come to us in Washington, courtesy of the National Geographic Museum, Egypt, and world-renowned museums which have loaned 300 objects for a stellar presentation, Queens of Egypt.

About 1400 years from the New Kingdom (16th through 11 centuries BC) though the last queen and pharaoh, Cleopatra VII (69-30 BCE) are covered. Sculptures, jewelry, a tomb model, a 3-D theatre, courtroom documents and more tell the stories and unfold the dramas in 12,000 square feet at the National Geographic Museum.

The show has so many compelling pieces it's hard to pick just one as favorite.  Perhaps it's the reality that these women ruled thousands of years ago, and they didn't have to wait for laws and courtroom sagas and currents movements to give them rights and acceptance.  They were way ahead in "the game."

Below are some of the Queens' pieces I found most intriguing and interesting, but there are too many to show here.  Please visit and tell me what you think.

A statue of Idet and Ruiu which is unusual to find two women shown side by side since it's mostly couples sculpted when two figures are made together.The women's relationship is unknown although Idet seems the more important since she's seated on the right and is called the "lady of the house." Limestone, probably from the Theban Necropolis, c. 1480-1390 BC, Museo Egizio, Turin, Italy/Photo by Patricia Leslie

"Ramses the Great" (Ramses II), the builder of Abu Simbel whom the label calls "perhaps the most famous ruler of ancient Egypt," is seated here between two patron deities of Thebes, the god Amun on the left and the goddess Mut. All the figures (men and women, gods and mortals) are the same size symbolizing their equality. Ramses's stature enabled him to connect the mortals with the gods "preserving cosmic balance." Granite, Temple of Amun, Karnak, c. 1279-1213 BC, Museo Egizio, Turin, Italy/Photo by Patricia Leslie

Researchers believe this fragment likely came from one of the standing colossi at Amenhotep III's temple in Thebes where a series of huge statues stood in the court. More large statues were built during Amenhotep III's reign than during any other pharaoh's rule.  Granite, c. 1390-1353 BC, Museo Egizio, Turin, Italy/Photo by Patricia Leslie

Mut, whose name means "mother," was revered in Egyptian society, according to the label, because "she was a supportive and dutiful wife, a powerful queen, and an honored goddess," in other words, "a role model."  She and her spouse, the god, Amun-Ra, were king and queen of the gods in the New Kingdom. Limestone,  c. 1292-1250 BC, unknown provenance, Museo Egizio, Turin, Italy/Photo by Patricia Leslie

A youg boy called Amenmes is identified by his lack of clothing and his "traditional side-lock."  His skin is redder than women's because of men's roles outside the home. Unknown provenance, c. 1500-1450 BC/Photo by Patricia Leslie

A rare likeness of Isetnofret, the second Great Royal Wife of Pharaoh Ramses II, who son, Merenptah, became pharaoh. Her name is inscribed on the statue's right shoulder. Two protective cobras adorn her forehead ("a double uraeus."). Sandstone, c. 1279-1213 BC, Royal Museums of Art and History, Brussels/Photo by Patricia Leslie

At the exhibition/Photo by Patricia Leslie

Ernesto Schiaparelli found fragments of Queen Nefertari's sarcophagus in her burial chamber in 1904, but the tomb was empty, stripped by grave robbers.  No Egyptian queen's tomb has ever been found intact/Photo by Patricia Leslie

Model of Nefertari's Tomb. Built shortly after 1904 when Mr. Schiaparelli discovered Nefertari's tomb in Egypt's Valley of the Queens. Drawn on a 1/10 scale, the paintings from her tomb walls were carefully copied and reproduced. Wood, made by Francesco Ballerini, Edoardo Baglione, and Michelangelo Pizzio, early 20th century, Museo Egizio, Turin, Italy/Photo by Patricia Leslie

Although Mr. Schiaparelli found Queen Nefertari's tomb empty, he did find fragments of the pink granite stone sarcophagus and her wooden tomb in her burial chamber, all destroyed by grave robbers.  Also, he discovered a box lid (in bottom left corner, above) belonging to the queen which likely housed the shabtis (on the right in the picture.  See more shabtis below.)./Photo by Patricia Leslie

#4 This limestone fragment (called an ostracon) depicts Sethherkhepeshef (with his hands raised in worship), one of Pharaoh Ramses III's sons. The fan in his left hand indicates high status. The sketch may be intended as decoration for his tomb. Limestone and red paint, Valley of the Queens, c. 1186-1155 BC,
Museo Egizio, Turin, Italy/Photo by Patricia Leslie

A carved relief of Pharaoh Ramses III, the last great pharaoh of the New Kingdom. During his long reign, invaders often attacked Egypt which depleted the treasury, leading to Egypt's gradual decline. The first recorded labor strike occurred in the 29th year of his reign. Here he offers wine to a seated goddess, and his mother, Queen Tiy-Merenese follows him. Although his mother may have lived in the harem at times (little evidence of harem life is found anywhere), she more likely resided in her own palace, according to the label copy. Limestone, c. 1185-1155 BC, Royal Museums of Art and History, Brussels/Photo by Patricia Leslie

Around 1155 BC, Ramses III was murdered by one of his wives, Queen Tiy, working with a gang of 38, but the crime failed to install her desired heir.  A transcript of the court proceedings of the  conspirators' trial is recorded on this papyrus scroll.  They suffered their deed harshly/Photo by Patricia Leslie

This is the goddess Sekhmet with the body of a woman and the head of a lion whose cobra head symbolizes her power.  Her craving for blood and her wish to end mankind drove the gods to trick her into drinking red beer which turned her into a gentle cat goddess, Bastet. (Cats are gentle?) Rituals were held every year to make sure Sekhmet/Bastet remained "gentle."  Granodiorite, c. 1390-1353 BC, Museo Egizio, Turin, Italy/Photo by Patricia Leslie

For formal occasions, hair styles among elite women of the 18th dynasty (1353-1336 BC) often included wearing human hair wigs on shaven heads. The less well-off had to wear itchy "date-palm fiber" wigs. The label notes that wigs changed fashion faster than clothing or jewelry. The limestone female in #1 above wears a Nubian-styled wig and a disc earring. Museo Egizio, Turin, Italy/Photo by Patricia Leslie

A bronze hairpin is #2. from c. 1539-1075 BC, Museo Egizio, Turin, Italy. A closeup of #3 is below.

Combs were often decorated with animal motifs like this member of the cat family. Wood, c. 1539-1292 BC, Royal Museums of Art and History, Brussels/Photo by Patricia Leslie

Worker shabtis, placed in tombs, were intended to look like the deceased. The shabtis were responsible for manual labor for the dead in afterlife. See Queen Nefertari's shabtis above. Wood or limestone, c. 1292-1075 BC, Museo Egizio, Turin, Italy/Photo by Patricia Leslie

The coffin of Ruru which was later used by a man. Wood and paint from the Valley of the Queens, Museo Egizio, Turin, Italy/Photo by Patricia Leslie

The coffin of Asetemhat is plush with symbols of several gods: Nut, goddess of the sky; Osiris, god of the underworld; and Anubis, god of the dead, who mummifies Asetemhat;  Stuccoed wood and paint from the Valley of the Queens in Thebes, c. 722-525 BC, Museo Egizio, Turin, Italy/Photo by Patricia Leslie

These mummies close the show which has so captivated guests, the Queens' stay has been extended from September 2 to September 15, 2019. After that, Queen Nefertari and her belongings will depart for her next adventure at the Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art in Kansas City/Photo by Patricia Leslie

                                                                                                                                                                   /Photo by Patricia Leslie

A free, color booklet of 24 pages is available.

What: Queens of Egypt

When: 10 a.m. - 6 p.m. daily through September 15, 2019. The last ticket is sold at 5 p.m.

Where: National Geographic, 1145 17th Street, NW, Washington, D.C. 20036
 
Tickets: Adults: $15; seniors, military, students: $12; children ages 5-12, $10; children under age 5 are admitted free. No charge for contributing members. 

Closest Metro station: Farragut West or Farragut North

For more information: 202-857-7700

patricialesli@gmail.com