King Tut Mania Alive and Well
June 9, 2005 — -- King Tut never grows old. The boy king and his earthly treasures have endured 3,300 years thanks to ancient Egyptian burial practices. But it's the millions of fascinated fans worldwide who have pored over his treasures since the discovery of his tomb in 1922 that keep King Tut mania alive.
"Part of it is the objects themselves are what make this such a fascinating story, and trying to reconstruct the period at a distance in time when there is a lot not known -- the reign of this king, how he died, and who his family members were," said Nancy Thomas, curator for the Los Angeles County museum where the exhibit will debut in June. "These unanswered questions are part of what make this period of Egyptian history so tantalizing."
Fans Flock to See Treasures
Eight million people visited the exhibit during its seven-city U.S. tour from 1976 to 1979, and experts expect that number to be even higher when the new "Tutankhamun and the Golden Age of the Pharaoh" makes its way back to the United States for a four-city tour. The exhibit will appear in Los Angeles; Chicago; Fort Lauderdale, Fla.; and Philadelphia.
Some of the exhibit highlights are CT scans of King Tut's mummified internal organs and the diadem -- or gold crown -- found on the mummified king, which experts say he probably wore during his life.
Tut Takes the United States
DVD collections chronicling Tut's life and death, paraphernalia sold on eBay, and a famous "Saturday Night Live" skit by Steve Martin help keep the ancient king very much alive.
Jason Fields saw the exhibit 26 years ago in New York City. Although he was only 8, he remembers being impressed by both the exhibit and the masses of people.
"I think the first thing I remember was the huge hall filled with all the glittering things and the enormous press of the crowds," Fields said. "I remember looking up at all of the people, and down at a lot of shoes."
Fields, who was fascinated by the boy king growing up, described the exhibit as "awesome" and plans to see it again, this time with his 5-year-old son, Isaac.
"I had a poster from the Daily News magazine, my mother worked at the Daily News, and I actually had a blowup of the magazine cover on the wall of my room growing up until I was 18," Fields said.
The exhibit will showcase 50 artifacts from King Tut's tomb, as well as 70 artifacts from his relatives' tombs found in the Valley of the Kings.
Ancient Allure
Many mysteries contribute to the legend of King Tut, including why the boy king remains so popular with inter-generational audiences today.
"I think it's twofold," Fields said. "I think, on the one hand, there's the real beauty and mystery of the objects themselves, and I think the other part of it is, I like to think people are really seeing a window into the past."
Some experts believe King Tut mania is simply a response to what is left over from a storied period in Egyptian history characterized by enormous affluence.
"It really goes back to the intense artistic quality of these objects," Thomas said. "I know viewers will be surprised to see them and the supreme level of craftsmanship. What makes it all the more fascinating is that the works of art are separated from us by 3,300 years."
Whatever the reason for the popularity of this ancient monarch, fans of the legendary boy king and ancient Egyptian culture are prepared to pass the torch to the next generation.
"I've heard comments from so many people that they are looking forward to bringing their grandchildren and introducing ancient Egyptian culture to them," Thomas said.