On view through May 25, 2009, at the Boisfeuillet Jones Atlanta Civic Center, “Tutankhamun: The Golden King and the Great Pharaohs” features more than 130 striking objects from some of the most important rulers throughout 2,000 years of ancient Egyptian history, from the Fourth Dynasty into the Late Period (about 2600 B.C. – 660 B.C.). Derived from a variety of contexts, including temples and royal and private tombs, many of these artifacts have never before visited the United States.

 Tutankhamun was one of the last kings of Egypt’s 18th Dynasty and ruled during a crucial, turmoil-filled period of Egyptian history. The boy king died under mysterious circumstances around age 18 or 19, in the ninth year of his reign (1323 B.C.).

 The exhibition highlights more than 50 treasures from Tutankhamun’s tomb and more than 70 artifacts representing other pharaohs and notables, along with the latest scientific research about King Tut. The storyline focuses on the splendor of the Egyptian pharaohs, their function in the earthly and divine worlds, and what kingship meant to the Egyptian people.

 Four galleries devoted to King Tut correspond to the four rooms of his nearly intact tomb where the treasures were discovered by British explorer Howard Carter in 1922. Legendary artifacts from the antechamber, the annex, the treasury and the burial chamber include Tutankhamun’s golden sandals, jewelry, furniture, weaponry and statuary.

Although the holidays are over, there are still a few ticket deals to take part in.

• Discounted Family Days ($46 for a family of four): A deeply discounted family package offers a perfect way to spend time together during the holiday break.  A family four-pack of tickets is $46 any day of the week through mid-January, almost half off regular family package pricing.

• Two for one adult tickets through Jan. 15 (up to eight tickets).

 These ticket packages can be purchased beginning today at www.ticketmaster.com/kingtutholiday.

Holiday packages and single tickets are available at the exhibition box office, 1-877-TUT-TKTS (1-877-888-8587) or www.Ticketmaster.com. Group tickets for 10 or more are available at 1-866-52GROUP (1-866-524-7687) or www.kingtut.org. Tickets can be purchased for visits every day of the week, on the half-hour from 9 a.m. – 5 p.m. (galleries close at 7 p.m.).

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