INDIANAPOLIS — “Tutankhamun: The Golden King and the Great Pharaohs” at the Children’s Museum of Indianapolis is nearing its halfway point, with two months left in the run. The touring exhibition featuring more than 100 authentic artifacts from the tomb of the celebrated pharaoh King Tutankhamun and other ancient Egyptian sites will be on display through Oct. 25.
For those who have yet to behold the boy king’s treasures, ticket offers to take advantage of during the remainder of the run include:
• Matinee Hours: On weekdays from 2 p.m. to close, adult tickets to the exhibition are available at a special $19 matinee price.
• Tut Afterhours: Upcoming adult-only evenings will provide a different gallery atmosphere on Sept. 17 and Oct. 15. Entrance to the exhibition is $25 between 5:30 and 7:30 p.m., including a cocktail. The exhibition and bar will remain open until 9 p.m.
• Family Four-packs: Family tickets (two adult, two child) are available for a savings over regular prices at $60 on weekdays and $80 on weekends (Friday, Saturday, Sunday).
The exhibition is organized by National Geographic, Arts and Exhibitions International and AEG Exhibitions, with cooperation from the Egyptian Supreme Council of Antiquities. A portion of the proceeds from the tour will go toward antiquities preservation and conservation efforts in Egypt, including the construction of a new grand museum in Cairo. Northern Trust is a cultural partner of the tour, and American Airlines is the official airline. The exhibition features an audio tour and National Geographic video documentary, both narrated by award-winning actor Harrison Ford.
On display through Oct. 25, at the Indianapolis Children’s Museum, “Tutankhamun: The Golden King and the Great Pharaohs” features artifacts from some of the most important rulers throughout 2,000 years of ancient Egyptian history, from the 4th Dynasty into the Late Period (about 2600 B.C.-660 B.C.). Derived from a variety of contexts, including temples and royal and private tombs, most of these artifacts had never visited the United States prior to this tour.
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.).
The exhibition includes more than 50 treasures from Tutankhamun’s tomb presented alongside artifacts representing other important pharaohs and notables, along with the latest scientific research about King Tut. The storyline focuses on the splendor of the Egyptian pharaohs, their function in the earthly and divine worlds, and what kingship meant to the Egyptian people.
Four galleries devoted to King Tut correspond to the four rooms of his nearly intact tomb, where the treasures were discovered by British explorer Howard Carter in 1922. Legendary artifacts from the antechamber, the annex, the treasury, and the burial chamber will include Tutankhamun’s golden sandals, jewelry, furniture, weaponry, and statuary.
Information and tickets to the exhibition at The Children’s Museum of Indianapolis can be found online at www.kingtut.org or www.ticketmaster.com, or call (877) TUT-TKTS. Tickets are also available at the museum box office. The exhibition stays open for 90 minutes past the last ticketed time.
