Tutankhamun and the Golden Age of the Pharoahs Exhibition at a Glance

For Immediate Release
Contact: Nancy O'Shea
(312) 665-7103 (For Media Use Only)

The Exhibition at a Glance

Exhibition Title:	Tutankhamun and the Golden Age of the Pharaohs
Exhibition Dates:	Friday, May 26, 2006 through Monday, January 1, 2007
Media Preview:	Wednesday, May 24, 2006, 9 a.m.
Overview:	When Howard Carter uncovered the tomb of Tutankhamun in 1922—its dazzling golden treasures intact, the mummified body remarkably preserved—the young pharaoh became a worldwide sensation. When King Tut's treasures toured the world in 1977, the term "blockbuster exhibition" was born. Now a new, much larger, and even more intriguing exhibition is coming to Chicago's Field Museum. Tutankhamun and the Golden Age of the Pharaohs features not only treasures of King Tut but the story of his family and his time: the 18th dynasty, the pinnacle of Egyptian culture, wealth, and power. Visitors will see fabulous artifacts excavated from the tombs of Tutankhamun and his predecessors, explore the mysteries of ancient Egypt, and discover what new technologies are revealing about the young king's life and his mysterious death.
Objects:	The exhibition includes more than 130 priceless treasures from the tomb of Tutankhamun and other royal tombs, all between 3,000 and 3,500 years old. Only a few of these artifacts were seen in the 1977 King Tut exhibition, and many have never before left Egypt. Among the outstanding pieces are the golden diadem that circled Tutankhamun's head in life and death; a miniature coffin that held his mummified liver; his child-size chair and footrest; gorgeous statues in gilded wood depicting the boy king as ruler of Upper and Lower Egypt; model boats meant to ferry the king in the afterlife; the head of a colossal statue of Tutankhamun's father, Akhenaten; and a magnificent golden sarcophagus from the tomb of Yuya and Tjuya, Tutankhamun's great grandparents. Also included are recent CT images of Tutankhamun's mummy, and a new forensic reconstruction of the boy king.
Location:	The Field Museum 1400 S. Lake Shore Drive Chicago, Illinois 60605-2496
Phone Numbers:	General Information 312/665-7009 TDD (for the hearing-impaired)
Organizers:	The exhibition is organized by National Geographic, Arts and Exhibitions International, and AEG Exhibitions in association with The Supreme Council of Antiquities of Egypt and The Field Museum.
Sponsors:	Tour Sponsor: Northern Trust Chicago Sponsor: Exelon, proud parent of ComEd
Admission:	Tickets are $25 for adults, $22 for seniors and students with ID, $16 for children 4-11. These prices include Museum admission. Discounts are available for Chicago residents. Visit www.fieldmuseum.org or call (312) 922-9410 for details. To purchase tickets visit fieldmuseum.org. Special rates are available for tour operators and groups of 15 or more. Call the Museum's Group Sales office toll-free at 888-FIELD-85 (888-343-5385).
Companion Book:	Tutankhamun and the Golden Age of the Pharaohs, text by Zahi Hawass, Secretary General of Egypt's Supreme Council of Antiquities; images by National Geographic photographer Kenneth Garrett (National Geographic Books, $49.95 and includes the audio tour CD). More than 175 gorgeous color photographs of objects from the tour and images from the latest CT scans, all described in detail, along with an authoritative account of the 18th dynasty, Tutankhamun's world, and the discovery of the tomb. Also, a children's book by Zahi Hawass, Tutankhamun: The Mystery of the Boy King (National Geographic Books, $17.95)
Audio Tour:	An audio tour narrated by Omar Sharif will be available for $6 for the general public, $5 for members, students, and children.
Public Programs:	The Field Museum has planned a variety of lectures, gallery programs, hands-on activities, and family workshops, plus a series of symposia, adult courses, and field trips in collaboration with the Oriental Institute. For updates on public programs and special events, please call (312) 665-7400.