8 Reasons Why the Tutankhamun Exhibition is Awe-inspiring

It's your last chance to discover more about Egypt’s youngest pharaoh and the legend of his cursed tomb!

Gilded sarcophagi, ornate ornaments and riches beyond our wildest dreams are all associated with the enchanting land of ancient Egypt. If you hurry, there’s still time to enjoy an audiovisual interaction with such gems at the immensely popular Tutankhamun: His Tomb and His Treasures exhibition, at the SunExhibits centre at GrandWest Casino, before it ends on Sunday, 27 September 2015.

Book now to enjoy special discounted rates valid from Monday, 24 August to Friday, 4 September 2015!

Hot off the heels from showing at Johannesburg’s Silverstar Casino, the celebrated exhibit has been seen by more than five million people in 28 cities around the world. For those not in the know, this kid-friendly production showcases King Tut’s tomb (re-constructed to scale) filled with over 1000 replicas of his burial treasures, which reflects the true opulence of the time. Not to mention, the organisers aim to stimulate the senses with an audio guide, interactive elements and original video footage, which all add another dimension to the exhibit.

Immerse yourself in the enigma of Egypt’s famed pharaoh, who gained increased notoriety following the unbelievable discovery of his lost tomb in 1922 by Howard Carter. One of the most iconic symbols of ancient Egypt, the 11-kg golden mask of Tutankhamun was found inside his tomb and has since become synonymous with the pharaohs and dynasties of Egypt.

This exhibition takes you much deeper into the life and family history of the ‘Boy King’ than you ever thought possible. If you have a penchant for mystery, gather your family and friends and step inside the tomb of the world’s most documented pharaoh.

8 REASONS WHY THE TUTANKHAMUN EXHIBITION IS AWE-INSPIRING

1) IT FUELS THE IMAGINATION: Tutankhamun was only eight or nine years old when he became king and he died at the tender age of 18. Bring your kids along and let them imagine what life would be like if they were ancient leaders of Egypt. Not only that, but the detailed narrative behind the discovery of the lost tomb gives you a chance to put yourself directly into Carter’s shoes and imagine what he experienced as he opened the sealed doors for the first time.

2) WITNESS HISTORY FIRST-HAND: This exhibition is the only one in the world that completely reconstructs the tomb of Tutankhamun and the artefacts found inside it. It gives you a never-before-seen look into how the chambers were assembled and what they contained for over 3000 years.  

3) TUTANKHAMUN GOES HIGH-TECH: The special effects and technology used to tie the displays together are phenomenal and set a new standard for other cultural exhibitions. The audio guides synchronise perfectly with the lights to highlight different objects found in the tombs, and provide concise details and background information about the items on display. The use of multimedia and projectors to show original photographs of the team who discovered the lost tomb and reconstructed videos of the excavation process set a sturdy foundation for the rest of the showcase.

4) GET UP-CLOSE AND PERSONAL: The entire exhibition consists of identical replicas of the original artefacts and most items are not shown behind glass. This means you can lean over and inspect the immaculate detail, run your fingers across the hieroglyphics and feel the cold metal of the golden sarcophagus. You can walk around the golden shrines and look inside them to get a complete view of the details and craftsmanship – let your senses go wild as you feast on every tiny aspect.

5) UNLEASH YOUR INNER INDIANA JONES: Your love for adventure and discovery will be completely satisfied by the incredibly descriptive narrative from the audio guides. The story of Howard Carter and the five-year search for Tut’s tomb will make you want to book a ticket to Egypt and go digging. Even your kids will be captivated by the adventure.

6) THE SOAPIE ELEMENT: There is a soap opera-like story behind Tutankhamun’s rise and fall, and his family life. The Boy King was the son of Akhenaten and one of Akhenaten’s sisters. Akhenaten’s chief wife was Nefertiti, and they had a daughter called Ankhesenpaaten. When Tut became king in 1333 BC (at the age of eight or nine) he married his half-sister, Ankhesenpaaten, and the royal couple had two still-born daughters. They were evidently a very close family. 

7) TUT HAD A SPORTY SIDE: Among the thousands of artefacts discovered in King Tut’s tomb was sports equipment. Dozens of throw sticks (similar to boomerangs) were recovered, along with some archery equipment, which suggests that the Boy King enjoyed a spot of bird hunting. A golden chariot was also left in one of the chambers in his tomb.

8) ENEMIES OF EGYPT:  It is believed that Tutankhamun walked with a limp and needed a walking stick to aid him. Several gilded walking sticks were buried in his tomb to assist him in the afterlife, and the handles of these sticks represented his Libyan, Nubian and Asian enemies. This was so that he could always have his enemies in the palm of his hand. Similarly, the soles of his sandals and the footrest of his throne were engraved with depictions of his enemies so that he could always have them under his feet, as if to crush them with every step.

TICKETS TO THE 2015 TUTANKHAMUN EXHIBITION AT THE GRANDWEST CASINO

Tickets can be purchased at the door or online via Webtickets.co.za. The costs of tickets are outlined below:

There’s a special discount on all weekday tickets valid from Monday, 24 August to Friday, 4 September 2015 where you will only pay R80 per ticket.

Show opening times are as follows:

Do note, shows are sold in time slots and visitors will need to select their preferred time of arrival. Once inside, guests are welcome to stay as long as they would like to.

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Interested in other museums and historical activities around Cape Town? Take a look at our overview of September events in Cape Town and surrounds so you don’t miss a single shindig.

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