King Tutankhamun (lots of pictures)

Our little family of four was recently gifted tickets to go and see the King Tut exhibit at the Pacific Science Center (Thank you Aunty!).  This is, by all the reports, going to be the last time this exhibit is in the United States.  So we were very very glad to go.

Bust of Ramses II

Just walking inside was stepping back in time.  All we were missing was the sand (and blistering sun, but that is semantics).  The soft lighting (air conditioning) and music fit with the history of the pieces on display.

Statue of Ramessesnakht with the patron god of scribes, Thoth, standing behind his head.

First we walked down history lane where the foundations of Egypt started. 

Statue of Shepenwepet II, "God's Wife of Amun."

Learning about new places and people was fascinating.

Sarcophagus for Prince Thutmose's Cat

Mr O and Peaches read each sign, seemingly absorbing the information and filing it away for future reference. *

Mr O- "Why couldn't they bring all the stone pictures?"

The pressures and lifestyle of these ancient people was amazing.

Special urn for oil.

The Egyptian people's religious preferences stayed almost the same for hundreds of years.  Though they had no hard copy to go to (like the Bible), the tradition and rulers kept the same belief system in place without much deviation for all those years.  Amazing.

Miniture boat that would magically transform to full size in the after-life.

Not many people in ancient Egypt could read or write (called scribing).  The few that could were usually high up in the employ of the Pharaoh.

The container where King Tutankhamun's stomach was held.

King Tutankhamun was but a young boy of 18 when he died (or was killed).  In ancient Egypt he was almost completely erased from the history books.  The later Pharaoh(s) did not want to acknowledge him.  Which is why his tomb was undiscovered for so many years. 

Shabtis, figures who would take the Pharoah's place in the after-life if any labor was required.

King Tut's tomb is the only Pharaoh's tomb to still have a mummy inside (the others have been moved to other locations).  He was buried within three coffins; the two outer ones made of wood with hammered gold designs and the inner one of solid gold.  His tomb also held many artifacts and treasures: beds, chairs, games, model ships that would magically grow to full scale in the after-life, miniature statues (Shabtis) to stand in for the Pharaoh should he be asked to do any manual labor, golden statues, jewelry, and more. 



Sandles, finger and toe protectors made from solid gold






















This coffin, coupled with the treasure that was still intact within the tomb, is why King Tutankhamun is known to us as the golden king.  His treasures, and the fact that they were mostly undisturbed, allowed people to learn much more about Egypt and its rulers (and their burials).

The Emblem of Anubis.

King Tutankhamun was not well known for what he did during his life.  His fame came after his death.  Letting the new world get a glimpse of those that had passed before.  In all their splendor, beauty, fame, and fortune; they were still human.

Replica of King Tut's mummy.

*Handsome and I did get grilled on various parts of the exhibit when we were done.  Yay!