which were that old, just boggled my mind. The small items were under glass but I was amazed at the larger statuary which were situated out in the open -- protected with a security system but still right there. We literally could get close enough to touch -- and was it tempting -- but everyone was very respectful to these pieces of antiquity. We saw everything -- from a huge sculpture of the Boy King to a marble toilet seat. I think one of the most interesting things to me was the small chair which had belonged to Tut -- made of wood, it is absolutely amazing that it survived all of these years.It was long thought that King Tut was killed by a blow to the back of the head but, according to research, they've now concluded that he may have died because of a broken leg -- which led to massive infection. Now, I suppose someone could have beat him up but these findings make it more likely that he may have met with an accident -- a fall, perhaps.
Another thing I didn't know (among many) was that one of the reasons that Tut's tomb was relatively untouched, through the years, was because Tut was actually a very minor king -- in fact, because of his association with the king before him -- Akhenaton, who abolished the worship of multiple gods -- Tut's name was actually removed from many statues and official records. Even though Tut brought back the worship of multiple gods, it apparently wasn't enough -- he died at 19 and was pretty much forgotten.
He's not forgotten now.
I just wish I could get that Steve Martin song out of my head...
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I watched a show yesterday on the National Geographic channel where some scientists had examined the body using high tech medical and imaging equipment. They were showing the break in the leg and explaining how this could have killed him (possibly from the onset of infection). it was very intersting. I would love to see this kind of exhibit some day.
ReplyDeleteThey had a section of the exhibit with a (continuous)film clip about the most recent examination of Tut's body. I think they've just about got him figured out! We also learned he was quite short -- 5'6" (which is my height). Not bad for a female but small for a male -- but, I imagine, most folks were smaller back then.
ReplyDeleteI was lucky enough to see the King Tut exhibition at the Egyptian Museum in Cairo a few years ago - absolutely fantastic!
ReplyDeleteTo actually see the exhibit in Egypt must be beyond cool!! I wonder if they had more to see there than they do in the traveling exhibit?
ReplyDeleteLynn: it's possible that there's more at the museum in Cairo than they took on the travelling exhibit, but I'm not sure. It's a long time ago, but I do seem to remember seeing a bunch of flowers that Tut's widow Ankhesenpaaten (or Ankhesenamun) had placed in his tomb. Incredible.
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