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TUTANKHAMUN
and the World of the Pharaohs
An exhibition organized by the Kunsthistorisches Museum
in collaboration with the National Geographic Society
March 9 till September 28, 2008
Ethnological Museum/New Hofburg Palace
1010 Vienna, Heldenplatz
National Geographic, Arts and Exhibitions International and AEG Exhibitions, with cooperation from the Egyptian Supreme Council of Antiquities and the Kunsthistorisches Museum (KHM), will bring an extensive exhibition of more than 140 treasures from the tomb of the celebrated pharaoh Tutankhamun and additional ancient sites to Vienna in 2008, marking the first time the treasures of King Tut have visited Austria. “Tutankhamun and the World of the Pharaohs” will run from March 9 to Sept. 28, 2008, at the Völkerkunde Museum Vienna.
“Since the discovery of his tomb in 1922, Tutankhamun has captured the hearts of people around the world. Buried with him were treasures beyond the imagination, giving us a glittering glimpse into the past,” said Zahi Hawass, secretary general of Egypt’s Supreme Council of Antiquities. “Now, Tutankhamun has returned to give a new generation the chance to learn firsthand about the life and magic of this ancient monarch.”
“Tutankhamun and the World of the Pharaohs” is the second National Geographic exhibition dedicated to the remarkable treasures of King Tutankhamun and other ancient Egyptian objects.
The exhibition highlights treasures that are 2,500 to 4,600 years old and features more than 70 objects excavated from Tutankhamun’s tomb, including his golden sandals, which were created specifically for the afterlife and found on his feet when his mummy was unwrapped. Also included is one of the gold and precious-stone-inlaid canopic coffinettes that contained his mummified internal organs.
Other key objects in the exhibition from King Tutankhamun’s tomb are a colossal figure of Tutankhamun depicting the king as a young man, which originally may have stood at Tutankhamun’s mortuary temple, and a shabti of Tutankhamun. One of the largest of the shabti statues, and the only such figure found in the antechamber, the purpose of this shabti was to ensure that the king would do no forced labor in the afterlife.
The exhibition also contains 75 objects from other Valley of the Kings tombs, including the golden mask of Psusennes, the third king of the 21st dynasty of Egypt, who ruled between 1047 B.C. and 1001 B.C. Made of gold, which the ancient Egyptians considered the flesh of the gods, the royal headdress features a cobra and divine false beard, attesting to his royal and godly status.
“The interest in the treasures of Tutankhamun reached a peak with a travelling exhibition that was shown in Switzerland, Germany, the U.S. and is being presented in London at the moment. Austria has so far not been included in this series of exhibitions. It is sensational, therefore, that “Tutankhamun and the World of Pharaohs” will come to Vienna in March 2008 – especially because Vienna is the only stop on this tour in Europe“, Dr. Wilfried Seipel, General Direktor des Kunsthistorischen Museums mit Museum für Völkerkunde und Österreichischem Theatermuseum (KHM), said.
“Tutankhamun and the World of the Pharaohs” features striking objects 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, the exhibition focuses on the splendor of the Egyptian pharaohs, their function in the earthly and divine worlds, and what kingship meant to the Egyptian people.
The final gallery of the exhibition features CT scans that were obtained as part of a landmark, Egyptian research and conservation project, partially funded by National Geographic, that will CT-scan the ancient mummies of Egypt. The scans were captured through the use of a portable CT scanner donated by Siemens Medical Solutions, which allowed researchers to compile the first three-dimensional picture of Tutankhamun.
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.).
National Geographic Books will publish a companion book to the exhibition, which will be written by Zahi Hawass and printed in both English and German.
The Raiffeisen Bank Group, as the Tutankhamun Exhibition Associate Sponsor, will offer a special -20-1073744556iscount starting December 10, 2007 through January 31, 2008 on all tickets purchased at 2,300 Raiffeisen branches. There will also be a discount available for all members of Raiffeisen Club. In addition, Wien Tourism will promote the exhibition through a special 15-1073744536iscount for all Wien Card buyers and to tourist organizations worldwide.
Ticket information: On Sale Now
Tickets are available starting December 10, 2007. The tickets will be timed and dated: Visitors purchase timed-entry tickets (half-hour time slots) that are valid on the selected date at the selected time. Due to high ticket demand, advance ticket purchase is strongly recommended. The timed-entry tickets ensure that the number of visitors entering the exhibition at the same time is limited. Visitors will enjoy the exhibits without long lines or overcrowded viewing areas. A typical visit to the exhibition lasts about 60 – 90 minutes although visitors can stay as long as they like.
With a purchase of a ticket for the exhibition “Tutankhamun and the World of the Pharaohs”, visitors can also see the exhibits at the Kunsthistorisches Museum at half-price (a EUR 5 savings).
Adults: EUR 18,00
Children ages 5-17: EUR 8,50
Group tickets (10 person): EUR 15,00
The tickets are available on www.tut.khm.at, at Wien Ticket (Tel.: +43/1/58885), at Ö-Ticket (Tel.:+43/1/96096) and at all Raiffeisen banks.
Special Discount Ticket information:
- 20 30iscount only through Raiffeisen from December 10, 2007 through January 31, 2008
- 15 134873680iscount with a purchase of a Wien Card through Wien Tourism
- Group sales & Travel Industry: +43-1-581 81 11-0 or sales@vbw.at
Opening times:
Monday - Friday: 10 a.m. to 7 p.m.
Saturday, Sunday and holiday:
9 a.m. to 7 p.m.
Long Wednesday: until 21.30 p.m.
Find more information on: www.tut.khm.at
Exhibit Information