The Greatest Exhibition of All Time only at Melbourne Museum

Tutankhamun and the Golden Age of the Pharaohs will open at Melbourne Museum on 8 April 2011. The exhibition, containing stunning artefacts that rarely leave Egypt, has drawn over seven million visitors in the United States and London in the past five years, marks the first visit of King Tutankhamun’s treasures to Australia. Melbourne will be the exhibition’s one and only stop in Australia.

Tutankhamun and the Golden Age of the Pharaohs is a National Geographic exhibition that explores the figures who guided ancient Egypt more than 3,000 years ago. The exhibition focuses on the 18th Dynasty, a 250-year period when Egypt was at the height of its power and the “Golden Age” of Egyptian artistry. This was the era when Tutankhamun and his ancestors reigned. More than 50 of Tutankhamun’s burial objects will be on display, including his royal diadem – the golden crown that Howard Carter discovered still on the head of the mummy, which Tutankhamun wore as king – and one of the gold and inlaid canopic coffinettes that contained one of his mummified internal organs.

Tutankhamun’s mummified remains and funerary mask are not permitted to leave Egypt as they are so treasured and delicate. About 80 additional artefacts from temples and tombs of Tutankhamun’s family and other 18th Dynasty royals, as well as possessions of several elite individuals with close connections to the royal family will also be exhibited. The extensive array of extraordinary artefacts offers a glimpse into an incredible period in history. The latest research on Tutankhamun’s death is also presented.

The exhibition is organised by the National Geographic Society, Arts and Exhibitions International and IMG,
with cooperation from the Egyptian Supreme Council of Antiquities. The Australian visit is made possible by
a partnership with Victorian Major Events Company, the Victorian Government and Melbourne Museum.
“People of all ages have an enduring fascination with Tutankhamun. This exhibition gives a whole new
generation the chance to experience the wonders of ancient Egypt,” said Zahi Hawass, Secretary General
of Egypt’s Supreme Council of Antiquities. “I encourage people from all across Australia to come to
Melbourne to discover the magic and mystery of the boy king.”

Terry Garcia, National Geographic Society’s executive vice president for Mission Programs commented:
“Egypt’s ancient treasures are among the world’s greatest cultural legacies. This exhibition provides a rare
opportunity to view these amazing artefacts and learn more about ongoing research on the life and death
of the boy king.”

Proceeds generated from the world tour are being used to help conserve Egypt’s ancient treasures and
support the construction of the new Grand Egyptian Museum (GEM) in Giza, where these antiquities will be
housed for future generations. “Most people only have the chance to learn about Tutankhamun and his
era in school books,’” said John Norman, president of Arts and Exhibitions International. “This exhibition
brings people inside his world to behold some of his most precious treasures, as well as play a part in
preserving them for future generations.”

“It is a great privilege to be able to bring an exhibition that holds such historical significance throughout the
world to Australia for the very first time. We would like to thank the Victorian Government, through the
Victorian Major Events Company, Museum Victoria, Arts Victoria and Tourism Victoria for everything they
have done to make this possible”, said Stephen Flint Wood, Managing Director IMG Arts & Entertainment.

“Tutankhamun and the Golden Age of the Pharaohs transports us to Ancient Egypt through the power of
the more than 130 stunning objects found in his tomb and also the tombs of his close relatives”, said Dr J
Patrick Greene, CEO, Museum Victoria. “I am very proud that Melbourne Museum is able to follow the
outstanding success of both A Day in Pompeii and Titanic: The Artefact Exhibition with this extraordinary
exhibition of treasures from the Cairo Museum.”

ABOUT THE EXHIBITION

Running from 8 April 2011 at Melbourne Museum, Tutankhamun and the Golden Age of the Pharaohs
provides insight into the life of Tutankhamun and other royals of the 18th Dynasty (1555 – 1305 BC). The
treasures in the exhibition are more than 3,000 years old.

Tutankhamun was the last king of Egypt’s most powerful family of the 18th Dynasty, and ruled during a
revolutionary period of Egyptian history. The boy king died under mysterious circumstances around the age
of 19, having ruled for about 10 years (1333 – 1323 BC).

Tutankhamun and the Golden Age of the Pharaohs offers glimpses of that evolving period. More than 50 of
Tutankhamun’s burial objects will be on display, including his royal diadem – the golden crown that Howard
Carter discovered still on the head of the mummy, which Tutankhamun wore as king – and one of the gold
and inlaid canopic coffinettes that contained one of his mummified internal organs.

Tutankhamun’s mummified remains and funerary mask are not permitted to leave Egypt. They are so
treasured and delicate that the mummy of Tutankhamun lays on display in a special protective case inside
the tomb, while the funerary mask is on display at the Cairo Museum.

About 80 additional artefacts from temples and tombs of Tutankhamun’s family and other 18th Dynasty
royals, as well as possessions of several elite individuals with close connections to the royal family 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 burials of both royalty and upper classes were like and what the Egyptians of that
time considered essential for the afterlife.

INTERESTING FACTS ABOUT THE EXHIBITION

– Combined crated weight of the 130+ artefacts in the exhibit is approximately 6,577kgs
– The smallest item in the exhibit is a piece from a gaming board found in Tutankhamun’s tomb that is
approximately the size of a thumbnail
– The largest item is the gilded coffin of Tjuya (Tutankhamun’s great grandmother) which is just over seven feet long
– The heaviest item is the “Statue of Thutmosis IV and his Mother Tia” weighing approximately 793.79kgs
– Most artefacts need a constant 21.11 degree temperature and 50 percent humidity at all times with no direct sunlight or excessive artificial lighting for preservation
– The musicscapes in the galleries were composed specifically for this exhibition
– Egyptian officials travel with the artefacts at all times. A team from Egypt will uninstall the artefacts from New York
– Once the artefacts arrive in Melbourne, Egyptian handlers will install the artefacts at Melbourne
Museum, and officials will remain in Melbourne with the artefacts until they leave the country

BOOKINGS:
TICKETS ON SALE NOW
Tickets will be available to purchase for the period 8 April to 17 July 2011 kingtutmelbourne.com.au or
telephone Ticketek 132 849
Groups and schools bookings are available now
Tickets will be available for the period 8 April to 6 November 2011
Bookings through Ticketek on 03 9299 9030
Official Travel Packages and Corporate Hospitality Packages can be purchased from
kingtutmelbourne.com.au or telephone Showbiz 1800 KING TUT

TIMES:
Monday to Friday – Opens 10am
Saturday & Sunday – Opens 9am

PRICES:
Adults from $29.50
Children from $17.50
Concessions from $26.50
Family 4 Pack (2 adults & 2 children) from $80.00
Proceeds generated from the world tour are being used to help conserve Egypt’s ancient treasures and
support the construction of the new Grand Egyptian Museum (GEM) in Giza, where these antiquities will be
housed for future generations to behold.
More information is available at kingtutmelbourne.com.au