See inside new Mass. exhibition showcasing the splendor of King Tut’s tomb
A new exhibition in Boston invites guests to follow the archaeological journey that uncovered the remarkably preserved tomb of the Pharaoh Tutankhamun — the Boy King of ancient Egypt — just over a century ago.
" Discovering King Tut's Tomb ," open for a limited time this spring, has taken up residence inside the Saunders Castle at Park Plaza, a historic armory in the city's Bay Village neighborhood.
In 1922, British archaeologist Howard Carter and his team located the tomb of the pharaoh in Egypt's Valley of the Kings. Tutankhamun lived a short life, becoming king as a child and dying in his late teens.
The expedition was financed by Carter's patron, Lord Carnarvon, after multiple prior expeditions in Egypt came up empty-handed.
Inside the largely undisturbed tomb lay artifacts ranging from the pharaoh's nested sarcophagus to thrones, chariots, figurines, statues, and no shortage of gilded and golden treasures.
The golden middle upper layer of King Tut's sarcophagus.Chris McLaughlin
Notably, the items on display inside "Discovering King Tut's Tomb" in Boston are realistic, handmade replicas of the genuine artifacts from Egypt.
The exhibition's objects were crafted in Egypt by artisans, including the uncle-and-nephew duo Tarek Ragab and Dr. Hassan Ragab, who have carried on their family's practice of making lifelike replicas of artifacts, using methods comparable to those of ancient Egyptians.
These artisans — many specialized in fine arts, Egyptology and ancient crafting techniques — made detailed and highly-researched efforts to ensure precise replication of the originals, a media representative for the exhibition explained.
Additionally, since the opening of the Grand Egyptian Museum in 2025, the Egyptian government no longer permits artifacts, such as those from King Tut's tomb, to leave the country.
The exhibition, therefore, bills itself as "the only opportunity outside Egypt for this type of experience," allowing guests to tour its 12 galleries spread out across 15,000 square feet — all without the need to make costly overseas travel.
The exhibition begins with a souvenir photo opportunity and a short introductory film. Once the film concludes, the screen lifts, leading into the passageways for the remainder of the exhibition.
A child-sized throne for the boy king, the Pharaoh Tutankhuman, on display in the exhibition.Chris McLaughlin
Mark Lach, creative producer with Imagine — the group behind the "Discovering King Tut's Tomb" — designed the exhibition's layout.
Lach, who has traveled and seen the genuine artifacts firsthand, said that not only is the exhibition meant to showcase accurate reproductions of artifacts, but it also tells the stories of King Tut and archaeologist Carter alike.
Lach said the exhibition offers broad appeal to people of all ages and those with differing levels of knowledge about ancient Egypt, from minimal to advanced.
Interwoven into the experience, guests also learn about the rituals of mummification, how to decipher hieroglyphs, facts about ancient Egyptian culture and mythology, and how King Tut's tomb continues to influence modern-day culture since its discovery.
Enhanced guest experiences include a go-at-your-own-pace audio guide tour narrated from the perspective of Howard Carter, which allows exhibition guests to learn more about what they're seeing in real time by plugging in numerical codes displayed next to artifacts.
Guests can also see inside King Tut's tomb via virtual reality headsets. Seated in swivel chairs, viewers experience 360-degree angles, a first-person perspective, and surround-sound audio as they float through the tomb room by room.
VR headsets available for use by guests to the exhibition. The virtual reality experience allows guests to see, hear and float inside King Tut's tomb from 360-degrees.Chris McLaughlin
The exhibition is open from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m., with last entry at 5 p.m. Wednesday, Thursday and Sunday; 10 a.m. to 8 p.m., with last entry at 6 p.m on Fridays and 9 a.m. to 8 p.m., with last entry at 6 p.m on Saturdays. The exhibition is closed on Monday.
Tickets are available on-site and online, with advance online reservations recommended to access the exhibition on a date and at a time of guests' choice. More information about "Discovering King Tut's Tomb" is available on its website .
As of this writing, the exhibition is slated to run through May, with the possibility of an extended stay.
"Discovering King Tut's Tomb" will be a traveling exhibition once it leaves Boston. There is also a similar exhibit in Las Vegas, Nevada.
The exhibition officially opened on Wednesday, March 4. The opening was originally slated for Friday, Feb. 13, in the lead-up to school vacation week, but was delayed due to shipping issues and bad weather from February's historic blizzard .
Banners for "Discovering King Tut's Tomb" hung outside the Saunders Castle at Park Plaza in Boston.Chris McLaughlin
The Saunders Castle is located at 130 Columbus Ave. in Boston, near the Boylston MBTA Green Line station and the Boston Public Garden, and the Back Bay MBTA Orange Line and Commuter Rail station.
The venue previously hosted notable events, including " Titanic: The Artifact Exhibition " in late 2024, which was later extended into mid-2025.
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