Treasures of the Pharaohs come to Denver

Archeologists believe that there are thousands of tombs buried in the earth of Egypt. Many of these sacred burial places might be undisturbed and sealed from grave robbers, according to Zahi Hawass, currently the Secretary General of the Supreme Council of Antiquities in Egypt.

Hawass accompanied the treasures of King Tut and many other pharaohs to Denver and spoke at a press conference before the exhibit opened. Tutankhamun: The Golden King And The Great Pharaohs is open at the Denver Art Museum, now through Jan. 9.

Katie Pearson, a student at UC Denver who is working temporarily at the art museum, especially likes the statuary. "They are just breathtaking," she said of the two colossal statues of Tut and his father, Akhenaton. "They are amazingly large and when we did our initial walk-through, my boss had us all lay on the ground and look up because that's how it was meant to be seen—from far away."

As an art history major, Pearson appreciates the statuary even more than the treasures. "There are some people who go just for the gold. But I love the statues because it was detailed work."

Mystery had surrounded "the Boy King" ever since he was discovered in 1922. But in 2005, Hawass had his body imaged with a CT scanner. The hole in the back of Tut's head, previously thought to be foul play and his cause of death, turned out to have been made by embalmers. Hawass now believes that Tut died within a few days after badly breaking his leg. There are signs of infection near the site of the fracture. He also had severe malaria at the time of his death.

"King Tut was a very weak boy," said Hawass. "He had problems with his bones and feet. He leaned on a stick and is pictured shooting animals sitting down."

There are plenty of new mysteries in Egypt. Hawass is currently exploring a possible new tomb in the valley of Giza, where he has opened a first door to reveal a second. He is using a robot to get through the second door. Will there be a fabulous and wealthy tomb behind door number two, or will there be nothing?

The exhibit at the Denver Art Museum spans 3,000 years' worth of treasure and mystery. The first artifact is a statue of someone named Inty-Shedu, an important worker who helped build pyramids in Giza. Placed to his left and right are three figures—helpers for him to use as servants in the next world.

When Inty-Shedu was first discovered, Hawass wondered why there was only one figure on the right. Ancient Egyptians loved their symmetry. Taking a closer look, Hawass discovered that there was indeed a fourth figure, made of wood, that had disintegrated long ago.

One fascinating pharaoh who is represented in the exhibit is Hatshepsut, queen and later, self-appointed king. Her statue depicts her with a false beard and a crown meant to convey her kinghood.

The treasures are mesmerizing. "For the first time, you are going to see 50 objects from the tomb of King Tut," said Hawass. "Each one is more amazing than the other one—gold and silver and precious artifacts that will capture the heart of everyone."

A golden leopard's face that once adorned the robes of a high priest stares at visitors with an intense expression. A bejeweled fan missing only its ostrich feathers gives a hint at the luxury in which the kings lived. The beautiful gold death mask of a pharaoh provides a glimpse into the fabulously wealthy lifestyle of the kings of the ancient world.

King Tut's tomb, according to Hawass, was hastily outfitted for the young king after he died. He hadn't time in his reign to fully construct a proper tomb. Nevertheless, it was a very rich finding. According to Hawass' accompanying book, when Howard Carter found the tomb in 1922, the valley of Giza came alive with workers and scientists eager to discover for themselves the treasures that awaited them.

Though the glitter and glamour of the treasures captures the eye and spirit, it is perhaps the more ordinary objects that give us a glimpse into the lives of ancient kings.

Mark Lach, VP of Arts and Exhibitions International which organized the show, agreed. "One of my favorites in the exhibition is a small game board. Imagine a 9, 10-year-old kid down on the banks of the Nile playing this game. It was his version of X-Box, if you will."

As for such displays as a bed and the model of a ship in Tut's tomb, Lach said, "Those are the objects for me that are quite special and quite important. These objects help us connect with the Pharaohs—they help us see them as human beings."

"The Denver Art Museum really is an ideal venue for an exhibition of its kind," said Kristy Bassuener, a spokesperson for the museum.

She explained why the DAM was a better venue than the Museum of Nature and Science. "These are exquisite art objects—they're not necessarily scientific objects."

Hawass said he believes many more tombs await discovery. And many more will never be discovered. The sands of Egypt hide many mysteries, and perhaps it is the mysteries themselves that are the most fascinating aspect of the study of Ancient Egypt. Denver is fortunate indeed to witness this intriguing aspect of history.

Tutankhamen: The Golden King And The Great Pharaohs Of Egypt

Denver Art Museum

100 W 14th Ave Parkway

www.denverartmuseum.org