King Tut exhibit ready to open in Seattle
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SEATTLE -- This week, the treasures of King Tut will be revealed to Seattle for the first time in more than 30 years.
King Tut is at the center of the exhibit at the Pacific Science Center; however, his is not the only story told. The exhibit begins with scores of ancient Egyptian stone carvings that pre-date the king's reign by 2,000 years.
At the end of the room stands the statuesque boy-king himself, as if he's guarding the gateway to the artifacts found inside his tomb.
And it is easy to see why. The 100 artifacts are a sight to behold.
The name Tutankahmun means "living image of Amun," an ancient Egyptian God. Tut took power in 1322 B.C. at the young age of 9. His exhibit contains dozens of items from his childhood including his bed, his actual throne and even a game he liked to play.
Also displayed are artifacts from his death, including a canopic that held the king's mummified stomach. Found on Tut's mummy were gold, precious stones, necklaces, covers for his fingers and the famous gold sandals in which he was to walk into the afterlife.
Standing surrounded by these treasures, one can almost imagine what it must have been like when explorer Howard Carter cast the first light onto the dark tomb back in 1922.
"Someone said, 'Can you see anything?' And he said, 'Yes, I see wonderful things,'" said Mark Lach, the creative director traveling with the exhibit.
The exhibit's arrival in Seattle began weeks ago when a team of Egyptian couriers unpacked, inspected and set up every piece, many of which are being shown in the U.S. for the first time.
"Well, those wonderful things are now in Seattle," Lach said.
The exhibit will open to VIP guests on Thursday, then to the public on Friday.
Visitors will want to plan ahead. The center has already sold 90,00 tickets, and most weekend time slots have already sold out.
Admission for the exhibit is $27.50 for adults.
The exhibit runs until Jan. 13, 2013.
