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Cinematic Royalty: Tutankhamen’s Ascension in Hollywood

Mahmoud Gebril February 10, 2018 Published in Egypt
Cinematic Royalty: Tutankhamen’s Ascension in Hollywood

Los Angeles has long been a launch pad for many legends of the silver screen, where young actors and actresses work hard to catch their big break into television and movies. Some make it all the way to Hollywood and become legitimate stars, while others flounder like mere mortals and eventually fade away to nothing. Careers can last days, weeks, years, or even lifetimes. But not for everyone. In fact, if you added together the career-spans of the top hundred movie stars of all time, that duration would not come close to the longevity of the newest star to appear in L.A.

‘But how can a new star have longevity?’ I hear you ask, and it’s a fair question. But here’s the answer.

Quite simply, the legend of whom we speak has fired the adventurous imaginations of millions of people around the world, but not just for years, nor even decades. Centuries is still way short of the mark, even a dozen of them. How about thirty-three and a half centuries?

That’s right. Way back through the mists of time, in 1,341 BCE, a child was born who would come to dominate, first a generation, then a country, and finally an empire. And now, millennia later, the Boy King, Tutankhamun, is still dominating. This time, however, it is the headlines, and the California Science Center is now providing a golden opportunity to meet Hollywood’s newest and oldest, King.

A little less than a hundred years ago, an archaeological team led by British Egyptologist Howard Carter was searching for the tombs of the pharaohs in Luxor’s Valley of the Kings, located on the west bank of the mighty River Nile. In 1922, the team discovered one such tomb, which was subsequently given the clinical, modern-day name, ‘KV62’, or King Valley 62.

The tomb of King Tutankhamun
The tomb of King Tutankhamun

The tomb was surprisingly intact, but even those fearless, optimistic archaeologists of the day were not prepared for what they found: The unimaginable treasures in the tomb of King Tutankhamun. That phenomenal discovery has long been considered by many scholars as the greatest of all such archaeological breakthroughs, not just of the 20th century but of all time. And it is hard to argue with such a bold statement.

And to help celebrate the upcoming 100-year anniversary of the epic discovery of King Tut’s magnificent tomb, the California Science Center is about to present the exciting world premiere of: 

Tutankhamen In Hollywood: Treasures Of The Golden Pharaoh

It is set to be the largest Tutankhamen exhibition that has ever gone on tour, and visitors will have the unique and once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to witness more than 150 genuine artifacts found buried with the pharaoh himself, 60 of which have never before traveled beyond the borders of Egypt.

In a fantastic new presentation, visitors to the exhibit can experience a mesmerizing mix of fascinating and rare artifacts and treasures ingeniously complemented with dazzling multimedia; the thoughtful and creative juxtaposition will take guests on an immersive journey of one of life’s greatest quests: the pursuit of immortality.

Exhibits include beautifully exquisite rings found on the delicate fingers of King Tut himself, sumptuous jewelry that adorned his mummified body, and even a pair of golden sandals positioned on his dainty feet before burial.

Treasures of Tutankhamen in Hollywood
Treasures of Tutankhamen in Hollywood

But there is a lot more to this sublime exhibit than physical attractions and wonderful ancient relics. If you’re lucky enough to make it to the exhibition, you will discover how cutting-edge scientific analysis of King Tut’s 3,300-year-old mummy has revealed new information regarding his lineage and his health and how innovative technologies played a significant role in discovering formerly undiscovered tombs, and scrutinizing existing ones in previously unimaginable ways.

Quite simply put, the California Science Center is going to be presenting a truly once-in-a-lifetime exhibition!

So, who was the Boy Pharaoh, King Tutankhamun?

Of all the names from Egyptian history that have survived across eons, few are as well known as Tutankhamun, yet fewer still remain shrouded in as much intrigue and mystery as that of the legendary Boy King.

But just why did one boy become so intertwined with adventure and legend? A visit to the excellent King Tut exhibition in California will certainly help you understand and fan your adventurous flames.  

However, the continued mystery around the life and times of King Tut never ceases, as recent revelations claim to have revealed a whole new edge to his tale, and the experts at the California Science Center will help bring that to the fore of contemporary thinking.

But to really delve deep into the history and to truly soak up the magic of ancient Egyptian culture, why not join one of our Egypt Private Tours and allow our passionate and qualified guides to teach you everything you want to know about the young king? We at Osiris Egypt Tours are here to tailor-make your expertly guided Egypt tour package, where you’ll learn all about the legend of King Tut on your custom-build trip of a lifetime to visit the mighty sphinx, the towering pyramids, and the modern-day home of King Tut himself, the fabled Egyptian Museum, Cairo.

Scans looking for Queen Nefertiti inside King Tut's tomb
Scans looking for Queen Nefertiti inside King Tut’s tomb

Play King or Queen For A Day

Egypt is a uniquely diverse destination boasting a wide range of wonderful activities for your visit. Whether it’s a tranquil Red Sea beach holiday with sun-drenched golden sands and world-class diving opportunities or a splendid time-traveling journey of discovery into Egypt’s glorious past, there is always something for everyone.

But a highlight of any of our Egypt travel packages is a visit to the timeless and legendary city of Luxor, the perfect base from which to follow in the footsteps of Howard Carter, the guy who discovered the tomb of King Tut and brought the world’s attention to the area, now brilliantly exhibited in the inspirational Exhibition in Los Angeles this March at the California Science Center.

Luxor: City of Ancient Wonders

On the Nile’s East Bank, Luxor shines like the desert oasis it is, and on our Egypt private tours to the famed city, you’ll get to visit the unique Museum of Mummification, the magnificent Karnak Temple, and the modernized Luxor Museum, not to mention the Temple of Luxor itself.

Unrivaled temples, ancient monuments, and UNESCO World Heritage Sites abound throughout Egypt, and without exemption, each offers an absorbing architectural masterclass into Egyptian history. But it’s the Temple of Karnak that leaves every visitor spellbound.

Construction began a mind-boggling 4,000 years ago, and dedicated to the Theban cults of Amun, Mut, and Khonsu, Karnak Temple is the largest religious structure ever built. It covers an immense 200 acres, bigger even than the sprawling central temple complex of Angkor Wat, Cambodia. By itself, the sacred enclosure of Amun encompasses more than 60 acres. It is so big, in fact, that the cathedrals of Notre Dame, St Peter’s, and Milan could all fit side by side within its walls and with plenty of room to spare.

Karnak temple, Luxor, Egypt
Karnak temple, Luxor, Egypt

Karnak has many significant and important structures, but probably the most impressive of all is the Great Hypostyle Hall, built by Seti and lying just west of the main sanctuary. The great hall contains 134 columns, and even if a visitor has previously seen the columns in photos, witnessing them in person and actually walking in their shadows to appreciate their sheer size is something altogether astonishing. The largest twelve of the columns arc skywards a colossal seventy feet, each adorned with intricate carvings commemorating momentous moments in Egyptian history.

Entrance to the temple of Karnak, Luxor, Egypt
Entrance to the temple of Karnak

The massive yet incomplete so-called first pylon was actually the last built and today serves as the main entrance into Karnak. It was built by Ethiopian King Nectanebo I in 380 BC and can only be reached by the beautiful and evocative ‘Avenue of Sphinxes.’ The ram-headed sphinxes symbolize the god Amun, and a small effigy of Ramesses II stands between their paws in the iconic form of Osiris.

Don’t forget to stick around long enough to experience the world-class light show. We can guarantee it will blow your mind and is yet another fantastic highlight of our Egypt luxury tours.

Valley of the Kings

In the hot and dusty desert near the ancient city of Luxor lies a truly remarkable place, and to take a tour of the legendary and awe-inspiring Valley of the Kings is to take a trip back in time literally. It is where you can explore the myriad tombs that were built for the powerful pharaohs and nobles, each filled with riches to accompany them on their journeys into the afterlife.

The valley has held a major archaeological focus since the 18th century and remains one of the most famous and important archeological sites in the world. Is its most notable resident throughout history? King Tut, of course, which is why the exhibition in Los Angeles provides such a unique opportunity to fire your imagination before embarking on your very own wondrous Egypt trip.

Valley of the Kings, Where they found the tomb of King Tutankhamun
Valley of the Kings, Where they found the tomb of King Tutankhamun

Valley of the Queens

Not far from the Valley of the Kings lies a collection of tombs that house the remains of some of the most powerful women in the history of ancient Egypt and, arguably, the entire world. The visit to the aptly titled Valley of the Queens is adventure personified and remains a must-see location on any Egypt guided tours.

In ancient Egypt, the valley was known as Ta-Set-Neferu, meaning a place of beauty. The tombs were the final resting place of not only many Egyptian queens but also other royal family members and numerous high officials. There are close to 100 known tombs in the area, but perhaps the most famous of them all is that of Queen Nefertari.

The astonishing tomb of Nefertari, the well-educated and highly respected wife of Ramesses the Great, is the most spectacular in the valley. The queen’s lavishly decorated final resting place is known as ‘QV66’ and is adorned with extraordinarily preserved and detailed paintings of Nefertari herself. In many of the paintings, the queen is shown wearing a golden crown with feathers and a long white gown. Be sure to look out for the mural beside the stairs to the actual burial chamber, which depicts Nefertari offering milk to the goddess Hathor.

Nefertari in Abu Simbel Temple
Nefertari in Abu Simbel Temple

All the best providers of Egypt tours will take you to the spectacular valleys, a high point of any Egypt travel, as this amazing collection of buildings and tombs gives a fascinating insight into the lives of some of the powerful leaders of ancient Egypt.

With your very own luxury private air-conditioned vehicle, complete with an experienced driver and talented Egyptologist, your day tour touring the valleys will be unforgettable.

We at Osiris Tours encourage people to visit the King Tut: Treasure of the Golden Pharaoh exhibition in Los Angeles, California, which is starting later this March. It truly is a unique opportunity – not to mention the very first time possible – to witness and experience, outside of Egypt, the histories and artifacts that surround one of the most enigmatic leaders of perhaps the world’s most mysterious empire from all of human history.

Valley of the Kings, also known as valley of the secrets
Valley of the Kings, also known as Valley of the Secrets

The exhibition will certainly appeal to anyone who has ever wondered about the magic of the ancient world, and since it is being held just a few miles from the bright lights of Hollywood, we at Osiris would suggest that anyone who has ever enjoyed an Indiana Jones movie would also thoroughly enjoy the King Tut exhibition.

If you do happen to go along, we hope you have an amazing visit, and if you do and are then inspired to visit Egypt and experience the real thing, Osiris is here to help you plan your dream trip via one of our excellent Egypt travel packages. We are world leaders in the Egypt travel market, and the passionate, experienced, and qualified leaders of our Egypt-guided tours will ensure you have the dream Egypt trip of a lifetime. You can learn more about all the things to know before visiting Egypt on our website.