Tutankhamun Treasures stolen from the Egyptian Museum Cairo

14 February 2011 - Filed under Tutankhamun

Staff at the Tutankhamun Exhibition in Dorchester are alarmed at the news that some of the treasures of Tutankhamun have been stolen from the Egyptian Museum in Cairo.

Early reports during the Egyptian unrest, suggesting that some of the treasures of Tutankhamun in the Museum had been damaged by intruders, had been rejected by Zahi Hawass, head of Egypt’s Supreme Council of Antiquities. Hawass asserted then that only one Tutankhamun item had been damaged.

But an inventory just carried out has revealed something much worse. Some of the treasures are actually missing! The latest report issued by Zahi Hawass reveals that in all 18 items of Tutankhamun and Amarna objects are missing from the Museum.

Michael Ridley, The Director of the Tutankhamun Exhibition in Dorchester, said this was devastating news.

Standing in front of museum facsimiles of the treasures of Tutankhamun in the exhibition at Dorchester he said, “It was terrible to hear that some of the objects from the tomb of Tutankhamun had been damaged, for they can at least be repaired and restored. But the news that really important items from Tutankhamun’s tomb have actually been stolen is devastating”

He continued, “These treasures are unique and irreplaceable. They are priceless. We can only hope that they will be recovered. They are so well known that it would prove impossible for the thieves to sell them on the international market. This however leaves the danger that having discovered that they are impossible to dispose of the thieves may decide to destroy them. They have survived over three thousand years let’s hope they are recovered intact.”

“We have accurate museum facsimile replicas of some of the missing items in the Tutankhamun Exhibition in Dorchester, but of course nothing could possibly replace the originals.”

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Statues of Tutankhamun damaged at the Cairo Museum

2 February 2011 - Filed under Tutankhamun

Museum replicas of the two damaged statues are on view at The Tutankhamun Exhibition, Dorchester.

Alarming video and still footage on Flickr, Twitter and blogs show that some of the most famous treasures of Tutankhamun have been damaged. Looters broke into the Egyptian Museum in Cairo and inflicted significant damage to the famous standing gilt figure of Tutankhamun.

Michael Ridley, The Director of the Tutankhamun Exhibition in Dorchester, said this was a very sad day.

Standing in front of museum facsimiles of the golden statues of Tutankhamun in the exhibition at Dorchester he said “These wonderful works of art have survived over three thousand years only to be virtually destroyed in an instant by modern day political unrest”.

He continued “We do not know the full extent of the damage. I simply hope that no more wonderful treasures have been damaged or stolen. I have heard reports that the famous golden shrines of Tutankhamun have had their doors ripped off”

The mummies of Tutankhamun’s great grandparents, Thuya and Yuya also appear to have been vandalised, They appear to have been beheaded and the gilded cartonage and wrappings damaged. They are extremely important and are two of the best preserved mummies from ancient Egypt

The standing figures of Tutankhamun, one on a papyrus boat has been torn from its base, whilst another figure of the king standing on a panther has been smashed. The statues appear to be missing, but reports suggest that they may have been recovered.

The staff at the Tutankhamun Exhibition in Dorchester have been examining the footage from Al Jazeera to try and identify some of the ancient casualties, and it appears there may be even more casualties from the tomb of Tutankhamun.

It is reported that nine men were caught carrying two mummy heads and two statues — possibly the two statues (above) that are missing from the bases.

Museum replicas of the damaged statues are on view at The Tutankhamun Exhibition showing in Dorchester

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DNA identifies Tutankhamun’s parents

17 February 2010 - Filed under Tutankhamun

Ever since the pharaoh Tutankhamun was discovered in his tomb in 1922 by the British archaeologist Howard Carter debate has raged as to his real identity. In recent years the advance in DNA profiling has given hope that Tut’s family connections could possibly be revealed.

The results of important DNA tests carried out in Egypt announced today have now identified Tutankhamun’s parents, but who are they? The mystery parents have been identified but have yet to be positively named by conventional archaeological means

At a momentous press conference held in (more…)

1 comment  ::  Share or discuss  ::  2010-02-17  ::  admin

Will the real Tutankhamun finally make himself known?

16 February 2010 - Filed under Tutankhamun

Staff at the Tutankhamun Exhibition showing in Dorchester are eagerly awaiting the results of a momentous test carried out on the mummy of Tutankhamun. The results to be announced at a press conference in Cairo on Wednesday 17th February may change our knowledge of this world famous pharaoh by revealing who Tutankhamun really was.

Ever since Tutankhamun was discovered in his tomb in 1922 by the British archaeologist Howard Carter debate has raged as to the real identity of Tutankhamun. In recent years the advance of DNA profiling has given hope that (more…)

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Secrets of Mummy Revealed

17 July 2009 - Filed under Egyptology

Palaeoradiology using X-rays, CT and MRI scans is being harnessed to study the skeletons and mummies of Ancient Egyptian pharaohs. The science should help to provide long sort answers to questions such as whether Tutankhamun was murdered and did Rhameses II die of spine disease.

The science has already shown that in fact Rhameses II did not have arthritis of the spine, which would agree with historical evidence that he was a warrior. Tutankhamun’s body was also removed from the tomb for the (more…)

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Tutankhamun was a Father

2 September 2008 - Filed under Tutankhamun

Two foetuses were discovered by Howard Carter in the Tutankhamun’s Tomb back in 1922. Ever since that, stored at the Faculty of Medicine in Cairo University, the two still-born babies have remained an apple of discord for scientists.It is debated whether they were Tutankhamun’s own children, whether they were twins (the difference in sizes suggested they weren’t) and how did they end up in the tomb of their possible father.

New scientific developments can possibly shed more light on this ancient Egyptian mystery. Professor Robert Connolly who is working as an anatomist with Egyptian authorities claims that initial tests on the mummified remains of the two children suggest that they are likely to be twins and that King Tutankhamun may have been the father of these children. (more…)

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Tutankhamun’s Treasure Hunt

13 May 2008 - Filed under Tutankhamun

The discovery of Tutankhamun’s tomb in the Valley of the Kings, by Howard Carter, in 1922 has been described as the world’s greatest discovery of ancient treasure. Now children visiting the internationally renowned Tutankhamun Exhibition can go on their own Treasure Hunt over the Spring Bank Holiday weekend, with the chance of winning ‘treasure’ for themselves. The Tutankhamun Exhibition is now in its 21st year in Dorchester and continues to enthral and excite people’s imagination. (more…)

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Christine el-Mahdy Has Died

15 February 2008 - Filed under Egyptology

The director and staff of the Tutankhamun Exhibition were very saddened to hear the news of the death of Christine el -Mahdy (nee Hobson). Christine was a passionate free thinking Egyptologist who has done much to bring the wonders and mystery of ancient Egypt to many, who, without her enthusiasm would never had experienced it. Through her many books and as chair of the Egyptian Society (Taunton) she brought the world of ancient Egypt to a wide audience. Her many books, included Mummies, Myths and Magic , Exploring the World of the Pharaohs, and perhaps the most popular, Tutankhamen – the life and death of a boy king.

Christine’s fascination with Egypt started at an early age. By the age of nine she had taught herself to read hieroglyphs. She liked communicating and saw teaching as a way to express this. She studied education at Manchester and Liverpool, obtaining a degree and diploma in Egyptology. She has worked in the Egyptian departments of Bolton Museum and Liverpool University Museum. In 1988 she founded the Egyptian Society based in Taunton.

Christine often brought her students to the Tutankhamun Exhibition in Dorchester and is remembered with affection by all she came in contact with.

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Free Greeting Cards Available On Tutankhamun Web-site

13 December 2007 - Filed under Tutankhamun

We are happy to announce that The Tutankhamun Exhibition web-site has launched a new section of free greeting cards. All the designs for e-cards are taken from the original postcards of The Tutankhamun’s Treasure Store. Nine beautiful designs of free greeting cards will be available for our visitors to enjoy and share. Please click here if you want to start sending free e-cards now.

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Pharaoh’s Fortune Scratchcard Launched At The Tutankhamun Exhibition

29 November 2007 - Filed under Tutankhamun

Queen Cleopatra paid a visit to Dorchester to help launch a new National Lottery scratchcard – Pharaoh’s Fortune. Cleopatra obviously had some nostalgic moments in the town’s famous Tutankhamun Exhibition as she launched the freshly printed scratchcard.
Tim Batty, the manager of The Tutankhamun Exhibition, said:
“We often get used as a backdrop for a range of items on Egypt and Tutankhamun. And as Tutankhamun is the most famous pharaoh, it’s appropriate that they launch the new pharaoh scratchcard here. It’s great to be able to help.”
The Pharaoh has hidden his fortunes under the glittering face of the new scratchcard. The maximum win is as high as £85,000 and there are five top prizes waiting to be won. Pharaoh’s Fortune, issued by National Lottery, has also prepared 5 runner-up prizes of £5,000 each and 44 back up prizes of £500.

Comments Off  ::  Share or discuss  ::  2007-11-29  ::  admin