New York: The King Returns

Since the 1970s when the Golden Boy first made his appearance in the United States, new secrets about his family and his death have been revealed through scientific data and analysis of CT scans.

A new replica of Tutankhamun’s skeleton, the original of which has never left the Valley of the Kings in Egypt, has been added to the New York venue as well. Not included in the exhibit is the iconic gold death mask shown in the 70s. It was declared a national treasure and is no longer allowed out of Egypt.

The firms of Arts and Exhibitions International and AEG Exhibitions have placed the 130 objects in several tastefully designed and dramatically lit galleries to ease the flow of expected visitors. Information is displayed clearly in and on top of the vitrines that house the artifacts.

The sponsors, National Geographic, Northern Trust and American Airlines, and Dr. Zahi Hawass, Secretary General of Egypt’s Supreme Council of Antiquities addressed members of the media at a press conference held before the opening of Tutankhamun and the Golden Age of the Pharaohs.

During his speech, Dr. Hawass told of the purpose of the exhibit: a portion of the proceeds realized from admission fees and sales of the catalogue, DVD and souvenirs will go toward helping conserve antiquities in Egypt and building new museums in Cairo. He was pleased to report that $100 million has been grossed thus far.

While Dr. Hawass thanked the partners and sponsors for their generosity, he mocked American Airlines for their baggage policy, touted Egypt Air and e xpressed his disappointment about having the exhibition in its present commercial setting rather than New York’s Metropolitan Museum of Art. (Discovery is charging $27.50 for adult admission, while the Met didn’t have the budget to absorb the entire cost and didn’t want to charge admission.)

When asked During the Q & A period about the feasibility of the show traveling to Mexico, Dr. Hawass stated that the exhibit would travel to any country that can afford it.

Parochial comments not withstanding, Tutankhamun and the Golden Age of the Pharaohs is a stunning art and educational exhibition. "From the artifacts, you can learn a great deal about how he [Tutankhamun] and other Egyptians lived 3,500 years ago," said exhibit curator David Silverman.

Its appearance at the Discovery Times Square Exhibition center marks the last engagement of the exhibition before it returns to Egypt. More information is available at KingTutNYC.com, where tickets can be purchased.