The Tutankhamun exhibit is the big draw for the DMA. This is the first time that any of these artifacts will be seen in the Southwest area of the United States. The last time that this exhibit was on tour was in 2005, where it broke attendance records at each of the four museums it visited.
The current exhib includes an extensive array of more than 130 extraordinary artifacts from the tomb of Tutankhamun and other ancient Egyptian sites. There are also artifacts that are new to the exhibit and have never before been seen outside of Egypt.
The entire ground floor of the museum is devoted to this exhibit, with multiple galleries that displayed various treasures of the Pharaohs. The first several galleries explain the history of the Egyptians and the context in which the boy king first came to power. At one point, trying to keep up with the different characters in this drama lead one of my companions to declare, “It’s just like ‘As the Pharaoh Turns.’”
The history and artifacts fascinated the kids, but it was not until we reached the last five galleries that contained 50 objects found in King Tut’s tomb that they became entranced. Pieces of jewelry actually worn by King Tut during his lifetime fired everyone’s imagination. A chair and footrest used in the Royal Court were in amazing shape – the hieroglyphics and artistic detail were vibrant and clear. Standing next to the King’s royal diadem — the gold crown discovered encircling the head of his mummified body was amazing, especially when we discovered that he likely wore it as king. When the girls learned that these objects were 3,300 to 3,500 years old, they could not believe it.
But it was the box shaped like a cartouche that held my daughter’s interest. Made of gold, it gleamed in the display case. Closer inspection showed intricate bas-relief panels carved on three sides. Each panel depicted a different scene – but they all contained King Tut and his wife. In one scene, for example, King Tut sits on his throne, while his wife kneels at his feet. The next scene shows her standing over him, while he looked up at her. Her arms are raised and she is making an emphatic point – about what we can only guess. These scenes continue around the box, until the front, where two doors open to the inside. Expecting to see a priceless statute, instead all that was inside was a wooden stand, with two imprinted feet at the base. The written explanation was that at one time, a golden statue stood inside, but somehow it was lost or stolen.
The last gallery is devoted to explaining how King Tut may have died. Various scientific studies have been conducted of his remains, with interesting findings. He died under mysterious circumstances and his death was completely unexpected. Many of the artifacts buried with him were actually made for another Pharaoh!
We enjoyed lunch at the Atrium Café. Starbucks coffee and pecan chicken salad were delicious fare as we talked about the exhibit and the fascinating history we just glimpsed.
The proximity of a world-class exhibit, the history lessons and especially the insight into the life of a King who ruled more than 3,300 years ago will take your breath away. The exposure to such treasures will inspire your kids and open their world to things they never knew existed. And the family time spent enjoying such a unique experience is priceless.
“Tutankhamun and the Golden Age of the Pharaohs” is on display at the Dallas Museum of Art from now until May 17, 2009. Please visit the museum’s website at www.dallasmuseumofart.org for more details, exhibit hours and ticket information.
