Tutankhamun And Golden Age Of Pharaohs

The highly anticipated exhibition, "Tutankhamun and the Golden Age of the Pharaohs" opened at The Franklin Institute with more than 410,000 advance tickets sold, the largest presale in the history of The Franklin Institute and a record for the King Tut tour. Governor Edward G. Rendell visited The Franklin Institute over the weekend as part of the festivities surrounding the opening in Philadelphia, the final of four cities to host the current 27-month tour of the United States.

"Tutankhamun and the Golden Age of the Pharaohs," an extensive collection of more than 130 treasures from the tomb of King Tut, other Valley of the Kings tombs and additional ancient sites, will be on view at The Franklin Institute now through Sept. 30, 2007. The exhibition is organized by National Geographic, Arts and Exhibitions International and AEG Exhibitions,, with cooperation from the Egyptian Supreme Council of Antiquities. Hosted by The Franklin Institute, the exhibition is presented by Mellon Financial Corporation. PECO is the associate sponsor in Philadelphia.

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.). "Tutankhamun and the Golden Age of the Pharaohs" offers glimpses of that evolving period.

On display are 50 of Tutankhamun's burial objects including his royal diadem - the gold crown discovered encircling the head of his mummified body that he likely wore as a king - and one of the gold and precious stone inlaid canopic coffinettes that contained his mummified internal organs.

More than 70 objects from tombs of other 18th Dynasty royals as well as several nonroyal individuals are exhibited. These stone, faience and wooden pieces from burials before Tut's reign give visitors a sense of what the lost burials of other royalty and commoners may have been like.

The audio tour that accompanies the exhibit was developed by the exhibition's curatorial team and recorded by native Egyptian and film star Omar Sharif. The Spanish version is recorded by Univision anchor Jorge Ramos.

TICKET INFORMATION

Individual tickets for "Tutankhamun and the Golden Age of the Pharaohs" range from $17.50 to $32.50. Tickets are timed and dated, and admission is 9 a.m. - 9 p.m. daily, based upon entry at 8 p.m. Due to high ticket demand, advance ticket purchase is strongly recommended. -- www2.fi.edu