Travel back in time to the 18th dynasty of ancient Egypt (c. 1543-1292) and witness King Tutankhamun’s sacred belongings in person. The new exhibit at Cranbrook is now open until September 3, 2017, offering a glimpse into this fascinating era. Marvel at over 100 treasures, including detailed replicas of the pharaoh’s personal items and artifacts, which will stay in Egypt permanently.
Capture by Edward Pevos from MLive
Information on tickets
For those who are not members of the Cranbrook Institute of Science, tickets cost $10. Members can purchase tickets at a discounted rate of $9. Tickets for children aged 2-12 are available for $8.
Picture taken by Edward Pevos for MLive
Bust depicting Tutankhamun on a Lotus – from the 18th Dynasty
This sculpture showcases Tut’s distinct elongated skull, a characteristic often seen among the closely related members of the royal family in Amarna.
Check out this stunning pair of court sandals from the 18th Dynasty, discovered among the 93 pieces of footwear buried with Tutankhamun. These sandals, crafted from a mix of papyrus fiber, leather, wood, and sheet gold, are a prime example of the luxurious and intricate designs of the time. Ornate marquetry veneer adorns the wooden soles, featuring symbolic images of conquered African and Asian foes, representing the pharaoh’s power with every step. You can see the original sandals on display at the Cairo Museum.
Edward Pevos from MLive captured an image of an ebony game box and casting sticks from the 18th Dynasty. Tutankhamun used to enjoy playing games of chance, with “senet” being one of his favorites. This game involved moving pawns on a checkerboard based on the throw of knucklebones or casting sticks. Among the four game boxes found in the Annex, the most exquisite one was made of wood with ebony and ivory veneer.
Captured by Edward Pevos of MLive, the unveiling of Pharaoh Tutankhamun’s royal mummy and funerary bier was a highly anticipated event. However, the revealing of the third coffin was postponed due to Lord Carnarvon’s unexpected passing. The mummy of the pharaoh was found to be 5 feet 4 inches in length.
A photograph taken by Edward Pevos from MLive shows the royal mummy of Pharaoh Tutankhamun and his funerary bier. The mummy was carefully wrapped in linen bandages and adorned with over 150 sacred jewels and amulets. Despite efforts to preserve it with consecrated lustrations, the mummy’s tissue had deteriorated and blackened from the excessive use of resins.
Captured by Edward Pevos from MLive, the image showcases the preserved body of Pharaoh Tutankhamun and his burial bed. Despite some damage, his face remains remarkably intact, shielded by the iconic gold mask. A regal golden diadem adorns his head, embellished with cloisonne and precious stones. Each finger and toe is covered with simple gold caps, while his feet are adorned with intricate gold sandals for a luxurious final resting place.
Capture by Edward Pevos from MLive
The royal mummy of Pharaoh Tutankhamun and his funerary bier
When the valuable items on Tutankhamun’s body were taken off, his delicate remains were unfortunately damaged. A reexamination of the mummy in 1968 showed signs of a possible deadly hit to the skull near the left ear.
Captured by Edward Pevos from MLive, the image showcases a grand royal sailing vessel from the 18th Dynasty. In traditional royal burials, the tomb of the pharaoh would contain a collection of 35 model boats that symbolize his spiritual voyages in the next life. These boats served both practical and ceremonial purposes. Among them, the sailboat stands out as a representation of the luxurious vessel that transported the pharaoh along the Nile in the afterlife.
Image captured by Edward Pevos from MLive
Luxurious Bed from the 18th Dynasty
A picture taken by Edward Pevos from MLive showcases a stunning artifact from the 18th Dynasty – a Golden Dagger and Sheath. Crafted entirely out of solid gold, this regal dagger was found nestled among the linen wraps of the pharaoh’s mummy. It was carefully positioned on the pharaoh’s right thigh as a sacred amulet.
Edward Pevos of MLive captured the image
Golden Death Mask of Tutankhamun
Crafted from two sheets of gold, this intricate mask depicts Tutankhamun. It was discovered placed over the linen-wrapped mummy of the pharaoh, covering his head and shoulders.
The stunning Queen Nefertiti, from the 18th Dynasty, is captured in a painted limestone bust discovered in the workshop of the talented sculptor Djhutmose in El-Amarna. It was being used as a teaching model, which explains why one of its eyes remained unfinished.
Edward Pevos from MLive took a picture of the Winged Isis statue in the style of the 18th Dynasty. Isis, a highly respected goddess in ancient Egyptian culture, was known as the mother of Horus and was believed to be the wife and twin sister of Osiris.
Image credit: Edward Pevos, MLive
Golden Makeup Spoon from the 18th Dynasty
This elegant wooden spoon, covered in gold, features a design of a beautiful bathing woman, a popular theme for cosmetic accessories during the ancient Egyptian 18th Dynasty.
A photo taken by Edward Pevos of MLive shows Queen Ankhnesmerire and Pepi II of the 6th Dynasty. Around 800 years before Tutankhamun’s birth, the Old Kingdom’s era came to a close with the passing of Pharaoh Pepi II. Similar to Tutankhamun, Pepi II became pharaoh as a child and ruled for an astonishing 90 years before his death.
Photo taken by Edward Pevos from MLive
The Golden State Chariot from the 18th Dynasty was crafted using a combination of bent wood and leather, making it strong and light. This unique mode of transportation was brought to Egypt by the Asiatic Hyksos in the early stages of the 18th Dynasty.
A snapshot taken by Edward Pevos from MLive captures the beauty of the Triad of Mycerinus from the 4th Dynasty. Unearthed in the Valley Temple of Menkaure’s pyramid, this trio statue showcases the pharaoh adorned in a pleated scendyt loincloth and sporting a white hedjet crown unique to the region.
Captured by Edward Pevos from MLive, Thutmose III of the 18th Dynasty is known as one of Egypt’s most powerful pharaohs. He seized power by overthrowing his stepmother who was acting as regent, and went as far as erasing her name from monuments. Thutmose III’s military campaigns in Syria, Palestine, and Nubia expanded Egypt’s empire into Asia and Sudan, bringing in influences from different cultures and making the country more cosmopolitan.
Photograph by Edward Pevos from MLive captures a stunning statue from the 18th Dynasty known as “Tut with Harpoon.” Showing Tut adorned with the red deshret crown of Lower Egypt, he is symbolically shown as the god Horus. This gilded wooden statue portrays Tut standing on a papyrus raft, arm raised to harpoon the devious god Seth disguised as an unseen hippopotamus.
Image snapped by Edward Pevos from MLive showcasing an Ebony Child’s Chair dating back to the 18th Dynasty. This petite chair, lacking any inscription, was discovered in the Antechamber. It is crafted from African ebony, adorned with gold-capped rivets, ivory inlay, and gilt side panels featuring images of ibexes.
Edward Pevos from MLive captured this stunning image.
The Head of the Divine Cow from the 18th Dynasty represents Hathor’s presence in the form of a sacred cow. This exquisite gilt wooden sculpture can be seen on the Treasury floor near the Anubis shrine and the Canopie shrine, facing towards the west. Hathor’s connection to ancient agricultural traditions is evident in the portrayal of her manifestation as a cow.
Image taken by Edward Pevos from MLive showcasing the Shield of Narmer Ceremonial Palette from the 1st Dynasty. This ancient artifact, dating back 5,000 years, celebrates Narmer’s triumphant conquest. The original artifact can be found at the Cairo Museum in Egypt.
The majority of King Tut’s jewelry was lost to tomb robbers in ancient times. Howard Carter discovered over 200 ornaments and amulets in the tomb, including collars, necklaces, pendants, bracelets, and rings, most of which came from the Treasury. This reconstruction is done in the traditional Amarna style, reminiscent of the 18th Dynasty.
Edward Pevos from MLive captured a photo of a Cartouche box from the 18th Dynasty. Among the many wooden boxes found in the tomb, none were spared from being looted by grave robbers long ago. These boxes held a variety of items such as linens, sandals, trinkets, and cosmetics. Four of them were shaped like a royal cartouche, symbolizing a loop of rope surrounding the name of a revered individual.
Captured by Edward Pevos of MLive, the Golden Throne and Ceremonial Footrest from the 18th Dynasty is a grand sight. Adorned with two lion heads and armrests shaped like winged uraeus serpents donning the pschent double crown, this golden throne was discovered in the Antechamber, hidden beneath a striking beastly couch.
Captured on film by MLive’s Edward Pevos, this ancient artifact known as the “ritual couch” from the 18th Dynasty is truly mesmerizing. It is believed that this unique piece of furniture was the first thing Howard Carter laid eyes on when he opened the tomb’s seal. Dedicated to Mehetweret, the goddess of the great flood, its intricately carved heads resembled the revered cow goddess Hathor, with tall horns encompassing a pair of solar discs. While similar furniture pieces can be seen in Egyptian tomb paintings, Tutankhamun’s ritual couch remains the only one ever discovered in such pristine condition.
Image captured by Edward Pevos from MLive depicts a stunning Golden Mummiform Coffin dating back to the 18th Dynasty.
Image taken by Edward Pevos from MLive
Bedhead featuring lions from the 18th Dynasty
One of three ceremonial couches found in the Antechamber was accompanied by two gold-plated wooden lions or cheetahs. The two bedheads were decorated with blue glass inlays and crystal-painted eyes.
Captured by Edward Pevos of MLive, this image showcases Selket from the 18th Dynasty. Known for her close ties to divine magic and accompanied by scorpions, Selket is a captivating goddess linked to childbirth, nursing, and the mystical healing of scorpion bites.
A picture captured by Edward Pevos from MLive showcases a beautiful papyrus vignette of Egypt’s royal family – Akhenaton, Nefertiti, and Meritaton. The Egyptians have been using the versatile papyrus plant for centuries to create items like baskets, mats, ropes, and even paper. In this image, the royal family is seen presenting offerings to the glowing Aton.
Picture taken by Edward Pevos for MLive
Ushabti Figure – 18th Dynasty
During the late Middle Kingdom period (2040-1640 B.C.), small mummiform figures with distinct heads were often placed in tombs to represent the deceased in the afterlife.
Photograph taken by Edward Pevos from MLive
During the 21st Dynasty in ancient Egypt, there was a strong focus on achieving immortality, which resulted in a booming market for ceremonial funeral items. These four figures, known as genies – Imseti, Hapi, Duamutef, and Qebhsenuef, represented specific internal organs of the deceased. Each organ was embalmed and placed in a Canopic urn, named after the town of Canopus where the local god was depicted as a jar with the head of Osiris.
