King Tut comes to Philadelphia

By Mark Abromaitis
THE ERICKSON TRIBUNE

When British archeologist Howard Carter discovered King Tutankhamun’s tomb in Egypt in 1922, he never could have imagined the commotion he would have created more than 80 years later.

Because of that historical archealogical event, a celebration of all things Egyptian is sweeping Philadelphia. The “Tutankhamun and the Golden Age of the Pharohs” exhibit at the Franklin Institute has people flocking to the city for their chance to check out the Egyptian boy king’s belongings.

Philadelphia is the exhibit’s only stop in the Northeast and the last official destination on the North American Tour.

Seeing is believing
A group from Maris Grove recently traveled to the event and said the exhibit was a great opportunity to see an important piece of history.

“I saw the Tut exhibit years ago in New York City and I just had to see it again,” says Marion “Jo” Modi. “It broadens all of us to be able to learn about our past and see something like this. Unfortunately, most people won’t be able to get to Egypt to see this. This is as close as it gets.”

“We are thrilled to host this once-in-a-lifetime exhibition,” says Dr. Dennis M. Wint, president and CEO of The Franklin Institute. “As the first and only science museum to do so, we can offer our visitors unique insight into the newly discovered scientific aspects as well as the mysteries of King Tutankhamun.”

Putting it in perspective
“I came from Massachusetts,” Maris Grove resident Priscilla Clapp says. “So I’ve never seen an exhibit as large as this—it was just overwhelmingly beautiful.”

“The gold and craftsmanship is what impresses me the most,” Modi says. Her personal favorite artifact on display was a bust statue made entirely of gold. “These things were made thousands of years ago. But they are not simple. The gold is so striking and their craftsmanship is exquisite.”