King Tut Times Square Exhibition Extended Through 1/17

At a sold-out lecture last evening in New York City, Dr. Zahi Hawass, secretary general of Egypt's Supreme Council of Antiquities, announced a two-week extension of the King Tut exhibition Tutankhamun and the Golden Age of theto January 17, 2011.

Recently added to the exhibition are a chariot some Egyptologists theorize could have been instrumental in the Boy King's death as well as 19 objects that have been in the Metropolitan Museum's collection since the early 20th century that will be returned to Egypt in June 2011. The soon-to-be repatriated objects, which range from study samples to a three-quarter-inch-high bronze dog and a sphinx bracelet-element, are all attributed to Tutankhamun's tomb, which was discovered by Howard Carter in 1922 in the Valley of the Kings.

On view since April 2010 at Discovery Times Square Exposition, this is the final U.S. showing of the National Geographic exhibition. Featuring more than 150 objects of exceptional craftsmanship and beauty that provide insight into the daily life and royal burial practices of the 18th Dynasty, seventy of the objects are from Tutankhamun's tomb, only a handful of which were part of a previous 1979 exhibition. An additional 80 artifacts come from the tombs of his ancestors and other high-ranking figures of his time.

After New York, the treasured artifacts go on view at the Melbourne Museum in Australia, and will eventually return to Egypt to be housed in the new Grand Egyptian Museum being constructed in Giza. A portion of the proceeds from this exhibition is helping to fund antiquity conservation efforts in Egypt, including the building of this world-class museum.

The exhibition is organized by National Geographic, Arts and Exhibitions International and AEG Exhibitions, with cooperation from the Egyptian Supreme Council of Antiquities. Northern Trust is a proud cultural partner of the exhibition, and American Airlines is the official airline. NBC Local Media New York (WNBC) is the exclusive broadcast partner.

Tutankhamun's remarkable treasures, from cosmetic containers and other everyday objects to fine works of art, illustrate what life was like for Tutankhamun and the people of Egypt," said exhibition curator David P. Silverman, Eckley B. Coxe, Jr. professor of Egyptology and curator-in-charge of the Egyptian Section at the Universityof Pennsylvania Museum. "In addition to these stunning relics, our partnership with National Geographic allows us to explore in depth and put into context the mystery of Tutankhamun's death using the marvels of modern CT scanning technology."

ABOUT THE EXHIBITION

"Tutankhamun and the Golden Age of the Pharaohs" provides insight into the life of Tutankhamun and other royals of the 18th Dynasty (1555 B.C.-1305 B.C.). All of the treasures inthe exhibition are between 3,300 and 3,500 years old. Tutankhamun was one of the last kings of Egypt's 18th Dynasty and ruled during a crucial, turmoil-filled period of Egyptian history. The boy king died under mysterious circumstances around age 18 or 19, in the ninth year of his reign (1323 B.C.).

"Tutankhamun and the Golden Age of the Pharaohs" offers glimpses of that evolving period. The exhibition will include 50 of Tutankhamun's burial objects, including his royal diadem-the gold crown discovered encircling the head of his mummified body that he likely wore as king-andone of the gold and precious stone inlaid canopic coffinettes that contained his mummified internal organs. More than 80 additional objects from tombs of 18th Dynasty royals, as well as several non-royal individuals, will also be exhibited. These stone, faience, and wooden pieces from burial sites before Tutankhamun's reign will give visitors a sense of what the lost burials of other royalty andcommoners may have been like.

EXHIBITION ORGANIZERS AND PARTNERS

National Geographic has provided context and content to the exhibition, including scientific data and analysis resulting from CT scans conducted on the mummy of Tutankhamun. This researchhas helped shape the latest theories on how King Tut lived and died. National Geographic alsocreated extensive programming across all of its platforms in support of the exhibition, including aNational Geographic Channel special called "King Tut's Final Secrets," now available on DVD. The official exhibition catalog authored by Zahi Hawass is published by National Geographic Books. "Egypt's ancient treasures are among the world's greatest cultural legacies, and we're delighted that we are able to bring this exhibition to New York so that a new generation will have an opportunity to experience some of the most important artifacts from Tutankhamun's tomb andother ancient Egyptian sites," said Terry Garcia, National Geographic's executive vice president for Mission Programs. "The previous King Tut tour in the 1970s was a major cultural phenomenon and, to some extent,coined the term 'blockbuster,'" said John Norman, president of Arts and Exhibitions International. "Sharing King Tut's legacy with a new generation of New York residents andvisitors will be a fitting finale to a tour that has shown that fascination for King Tut endures around the world." "Northern Trust is proud to share this fascinating cultural and educational experience with theNew York community as well as visitors from around the world," said Rick Waddell, president and chief executive officer, Northern Trust Corporation. "Since our founding, Northern Trust has supported numerous local charities and events that increase social interaction and a sense of community and integrate the arts into education and other outreach activities. This exhibition provides a wonderful opportunity for all viewers to enjoy a truly unique exploration into the history of Tutankhamun." "American Airlines is thrilled to have a role in bringing an exhibit of this magnitude to the peopleof New York," said Dan Garton, executive vice president of marketing for American Airlines."It is exciting to know that American Airlines is helping to make it possible for this remarkable exhibit to be seen by thousands of visitors."