The majestic treasures and artifacts from King Tutankhamun’s tomb have been fascinating history buffs ever since their discovery in 1922 by archeologist Howard Carter. However, did you know that you don’t have to go to Egypt in order to see them? You can pay a visit to Washington D.C. instead.
A touring exhibition called “Tutankhamun: His Tomb and His Treasures” has been recently opened at Rhode Island Center and features detailed replicas of treasures, artifacts, and other objects found in King Tut’s Tomb. The exhibition features more than 1,000 items, including the famous golden burial mask, and will remain on display through July.
The recreation of the tomb and its items is based on the photographs taken by photographer Harry Burton. When Carter discovered the tomb, he asked Burton, who was working for New York’s Metropolitan Museum at the time, to take photographs of it before anyone touched anything. Burton ended up making more than 3,400 photos over the course of a decade.
Considering that many of the artifacts from King Tut’s tomb are not available to the public or challenging to see in person, “Tutankhamun: His Tomb and His Treasures” represents a great way to actually experience them.
“It’s actually been touring Europe for the last 10 years, seven million people have seen it, and this is the first time that it’s in Washington D.C.,” said exhibit’s curator Melinda Hartwig in a chat with WTOP. “It is the most comprehensive exhibition of replicas that has been done. The beauty of it is that you get the idea of context. You become an explorer as you go through the exhibition and you see things through the eyes of [Howard] Carter, the excavator.”