 Arts & Culture: Lovers of Egyptology who missed viewing Tutankhamun and the Golden Age of the Pharaohs at its stops in Los Angeles, Fort Lauderdale and Chicago have one more opportunity to view Tut's treasures stateside. The Franklin Institute in Philadelphia will host Tut II's final American exhibition from February 3 through September 30, 2007.
The first King Tut exhibit, which visited seven U.S. cities in the late 1970s, is credited as the genesis of "Tutmania," drawing eight million visitors. Tut II drew 2.8 million visitors before arriving in Philadelphia, with 400,000 advance tickets sold by the eve of the Franklin Institute premiere. The audience is not the only thing that is exponentially larger; the number of artifacts on display has doubled from the first exhibition, with 50 pieces from Tut's tomb and 70 from other ancient Egyptian tombs.
The exhibition showcases ancient history and unlimited opulence. Ancient Egyptians believed not just in luxury living, but luxury living after life. Tut's status as a king warranted a separate golden sarcophagus just for his liver, along with equally elegant gold "coffinettes" for his internal organs. Along with the liver sarcophagus and one of the coffinettes, visitors also view the gold crown that archeologists believe Tut wore in life, the golden dagger found wrapped in his death shroud, and the elegant coffin of Tut's great-grandmother.
Visitors to the Philadelphia exhibition can partake of a special treat not available in the other cities Tut II has visited. The University of Pennsylvania Museum of Archaeology and Anthropology is hosting Amarna, Ancient Egypt's Place in the Sun, a complementary exhibition focusing on Tut's hometown and the man believed to be his father, the controversial King Akhenaten. Visitors can easily shuttle between the two exhibitions on the "Tut Trolley," which will also have stops at other Tut-related activities in the city.
The King Tut Hotel Package is being offered by 15 fine Center City hotels, including the Ritz-Carlton, the Four Seasons, and the Rittenhouse Hotel. All packages include two un-timed VIP tickets to Tut II, and packages that also include Tut Trolley tickets and admission to the complementary Penn exhibition are available. See www.gophila.com for details.
For LxM Teresa Rothaar
Exhibition: Tutankhamun and the Golden Age of the Pharaohs
Web site:
www.gophila.com
Contact: For tickets call 1(877)TUT-TKTS or visit Ticketmaster.com.
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