Where to begin? Maybe with every child’s giddy fascination and awe about everything King Tut! That’s the way we felt when we recently premiered the most in-depth and historically accurate recreation of Tutankhamun: His Tomb and His Treasures ever mounted in Washington, D.C.!
The British archaeologist, Howard Carter, made an incredible discovery in 1922, which remains to this day, unprecedented! Lit by the light of his candle, Carter discovered the impressive golden tomb of the Pharaoh Tutankhamun, who died more than 3000 years ago, surrounded by all his treasures.
The exhibit is produced by Exhibition Hub and Semmel Exhibitions in partnership with Fever, this hands-on experience offers guests the chance to explore ancient Egypt with incredible detail and scale, mirroring Egyptologist Howard Carter’s discovery to a tee right in Washington D.C.
Tutankhamun: His Tomb and His Treasures is an exhibition that offers guests a unique, hands-on experience of ancient Egypt. With 1,000 perfectly reconstructed objects and artifacts, breathtaking decorations, and scholarly storytelling, it is the most complete exhibition in the world dedicated to revealing the life and death of the young King Tut.
We were spellbound with the great labor of love that went into making the exhibit a true artistic experience of discovering King Tut’s tomb. You’ll experience dimly lit rooms and a layout in the way that Howard Carter found the tomb. It reveals a wealth of artifacts that offer profound insights into ancient Egyptian life, including head rests for sleeping on the ground, children’s games, and intricate sandals with depictions of Tutankhamun’s enemies…the thought was to always have them under foot!
Being drawn deeper into the exhibit, we encounter more treasures fit for a king—glittering jewelry, ceremonial objects, and the iconic golden sarcophagus that once cradled Tutankhamun’s mummified form.
Fun facts! Tutankhamun’s ascension to the throne at age 9 only lasted approximately 9 years. He passed away around 18 years old, which was considered mid-life 3,000 years ago! Although many depictions portray King Tut as a handsome man, closer examination of his remains reveals a different reality. Recent studies indicate that Tutankhamun had physical traits such as a cleft palate, a club foot, and likely scoliosis; the tomb was full of walking sticks. These findings provide a more nuanced understanding of the ancient Egyptian ruler’s appearance and health, highlighting the complexities of his life.
Check out the exhibit for yourself and get immersed in the mysteries of a bygone era, preserved in gold and stone!
- Opening hours:
- Monday, Wednesday and Thursday: 10 a.m. – 6:30 p.m. (last entry)
- Friday: 10 a.m. – 7:30 p.m. (last entry)
- Saturday: 9 a.m. – 8 p.m. (last entry)
- Sunday: 9 a.m. – 6:30 p.m. (last entry)
- Tuesday: Closed
- LOCATION: Rhode Island Center: 524 Rhode Island Ave NE, Washington, DC 20002, United States
- PRICE: Tickets start at $33.90 for adults and $25.90 for children.
- AGE REQUIREMENT: All ages are welcome
- Accessibility: The exhibition is accessible to wheelchairs and strollers. Please contact them and they will advise on how they can best assist you.
If you already attended the exhibit and took some amazing photos, please share your #Tutankhamun.expo moments and tag their Instagram account for repost! We can’t get enough of King Tut imagery!
By Susan O’Connor