Everthing's Coming Up Egypt

In Luxor, another tomb revealed. In Denver, city gets ready to welcome King Tut

Last year, when I visited Egypt, archaeologists and their helpers were busy excavating and sifting in dry earth on the west bank of the Nile near Luxor. Some people dig. Some look through what has been dug just in case some artifact is among the sand and stone. And some cart away the archaeological detritus. "Laborious" and "painstaking" are words that came to mind as I watched.

The efforts pay off when a major discovery is made like the one just announced by Minister of Culture, Farouk Hosni. A dig led by Dr. Zahi Hawass, Secretary General of the Supreme Council of Antiquities (SCA),  discovered an 18th Dynasty tomb (1570-1315 BC) in the necropolis of Dra Abu el-Naga, on Luxor’s west bank. Memphis Tours, which has nothing to do with Tennessee but which has been organizing trips to Egypt since 1955, posted the news on their blog. According to Dr. Hawass, the tomb belongs to the Supervisor of Hunters, Amun-em-Opet, and dates shortly before the rule of Akhenaten (1372-1355 BC). The image below is from Memphis Tours' blog.

 

Meanwhile, closer to home, the Denver Art Museum is getting ready for a blockbuster exhibit of  treasures from ancient Egypt. Tutankhamun: The Golden King and the Great Pharaohs will be in splendid residence at the DAM from June 29 through January 9, an extension of dates announced earlier. Back in 1978, I was one of the hordes who lined up for King Tut's first visit to the United States at a spectacular exhibit at New York's Metropolitan Museum of Art. Tut's was the only royal tomb found intact, with unsurpassed treasure, both in quality and quantity, because grave robbers had never breached it. Last year, in addition to visiting Luxor, I spent too little time in the Egyptian Museum in Cairo, which whetted my appetite for an encore. I only will have to go to Denver to satisfy that appetite, and the upcoming exhibit is important enough to attract visitors from afar.

The Westin Tabor Center in Denver this evening hosted a media event as a precursor to the exhibit. It is the first time these treasures will have appeared in the Rocky Mountain Region -- and considering how many millions the Government of Egypt requires to lend them out to other museums, the shipping, the insurance and security required, it might be the last time. My husband and I are museum members and have already bought our tickets, but for anyone wishing for a Denver getaway that includes line-beating VIP tickets, six downtown hotels are offering lodging/museum packages:

The Curtis Hotel

A Day In the Museum, A Night at the Curtis. Packages from $159 for one night's accommodations on the King Tut Floor (based on availability); $20 in Mummy Money (food and beverage credit for use in The Corner Office restaurant or Room Service); overnight Self Parking; 2 VIP Passes to King Tut, and a welcome amenity (either two Golden Nile Martinis or one Cairo Kid’s Pack). Book online or by phone, 303-571-0300 or 800-525-6651. Promotion code TUT.

Grand Hyatt Denver

Fit for a King. Packages from $159 for one night's accommodations, complimentary hotel parking, two VIP tickets to the King Tut exhibition at the Denver Art Museum and a welcome amenity. Book online or by phone, 303-295-1234 or 800-233-1234.

Hyatt Regency Denver

King Tut Package. From $159 for one night's accommodation in a Mountain View guest room  and two VIP tickets to the King Tut exhibition at the Denver Art Museum. Book by phone, 303-436-1234.

Sheraton Downtown Denver

Pharaohs’ Affair. Starting at $129 per night based on two-night stay; $149 for one night for accommodations and two VIP tickets for the King Tut exhibition at the Denver Art Museum. King Tut’s Treasure package includes accommodations, two VIP tickets for the King Tut exhibition at the Denver Art Museum, breakfast for two and overnight parking, from $159 per night based on two-night stay, $179 for one night. The best prices are on weekends. Hooray! Book online or by phone, 303-893-3333.

Westin Tabor Center

Pharaohs' Affair. Package includes one night and two VIP tickets starting at $179 per night; two nights and two VIP tickets from $159 per night. King Tut’s Treasure. Package includes one night and two VIP Tickets, breakfast for two and Self Parking from $209 per night; same offer for two nights from $189 per night. Also, weekends are the least expensive. Book online or by phone, 303-572-9100.

Brown Palace Hotel

Pharaoh’s Find. From $169, one night in luxury room and two VIP tickets. Booking code TUT. A Night to Treasure. From $199, same as Pharaoh's find plus two VIP tickets and enjoy luxurious accommodations accompanied by truffles dusted in 24-karat gold and valet parking. Booking code TREASURE. Book online or by phone, 303-297-3111 or 800-321-2599.