King Tut's Tomb: California Science Center celebrates 100th anniversary of the discovery

The treasures of Tutankhamen's Tomb include the gold inner mummy case, on loan from the Egyptian Museum in Cairo.

Trumpets of gold would have announced Tut's arrival to state events.

TREASURES OF CHILD KING'S TOMB ON DISPLAY IN GLITTERING U.S. SHOW WITH MANY ARTICLES ON THEIR FIRST TRIP OUTSIDE EGYPT's CAIRO MUSEUM

Bruce Keller at California Science Center in Los Angeles

which hosts the extensive King Tut treasures tour. Ten

cities will enjoy the stunning exhibit leading up to the

 100-year anniversary in 2022 of the tomb's discovery. 

Beautiful lighting and high-tech enhancements bring to life

the world of a wealthy civilization of 3,000 years ago. 

STORY By CHRISTENE MEYERS

PHOTOS By BRUCE KELLER and CM

KING TUT is surely the world's most celebrated young ruler. He was unremarkable in life, and died young -- probably clubbed in the head by a jealous member of the court. In death, the ill-fated pharaoh has become world famous. Why?  Because the contents of Tut's exquisite tomb include a staggering array of jewelry, furniture, his elaborately cloaked mummy, gorgeous stone sarcophagus and other magnificent antiques of incalculable value.

Cookie and Keller at the Pyramids of Giza. Scarcely a single pyramid

escaped plunder but several lucky elements kept Tut's tomb intact.

TO CELEBRATE the upcoming 100-year anniversary of the 1922 discovery of King Tutankhamun’s tomb, the California Science Center presents the world premiere of "KingTut: Treasures of the Golden Pharaoh." We spent a fascinating afternoon, admiring with thousands of other Egypt history lovers 150 authentic artifacts from King Tut’s astonishing tomb. We'd seen some of the treasures in Seattle in 1977, when Steve Martin's "Saturday Night Live" Tut sketch was a hit. Later, we saw others of the artifacts at Cairo's Egyptian Museum. Now, it is thrilling to view the show here --  with 60 items on their first journey outside of Egypt.

THE DRAMA of the discovery by Lord Carnavon and Howard Carter is enhanced

After the exhibition: a happy

Cookie reflects at dinner.

One of King Tut's chairs was among treasures in his tomb,

perhaps to offer him a comfortable place to sit in the afterlife.

The show explains how each item assisted the king in death.

by a dazzling, high-tech multimedia show taking us on an immersive journey of the culture's quest for immortality. We were up close with exquisite rings found on the pharaoh's fingers, opulent jewelry adorning his slender body, and gold sandals placed on his small feet when he was finally buried, nine months after his death. It took that long to prepare the body of the now 3,300-year-old ruler for his immortal journey.

Besides offering insights into what was likely the wealthiest society on Earth, the fascinating show explains how Tut's mummy has revealed data about his health and lineage. Cutting-edge technology has even discovered new tombs.

WHAT INTRIGUES most is that in a day of rampant grave-robbing, Tut's tomb was undisturbed. Again, why? How did it escape the cemetery ghouls who made their living climbing the pyramids and Nile cliffs to plunder.

"KV62" is the standard Egyptological designation for the tomb of the young pharaoh in the Valley of the Kings.  Remarkably, architects of Ramses VI's tomb ordered workmen to throw their waste limestone chips down the slope where the earlier Tut was buried.  That, and Tut's small place in Egyptian history, kept the tomb covered for 3,000 years.

THE SHOW debuted in L.A. in March and spends 10 months in the U.S. before moving on to Europe and nine more cities, culminating in the centenary year of discovery, 2022.

The blockbuster tour ends at its new home, the Grand Egyptian Museum, now under construction near the Pyramids of Giza.

Get tour tickets and parking on line:  californiasciencecenter.org

UP NEXT: Among San Diego's vast array of wonders is the San Diego Gay Men's Chorus.

San Diego's Gay Men's Chorus celebrates 33 seasons

with a salute to the songs of ABBA coming soon.

It is one of the country's oldest and most

successful gay choruses, founded in the days

of the AIDS crisis as a place to offer solace,

fun and a safe haven from the disease and

the stigma. The lively and welcoming group

presents three shows a year, always sell-outs.

We two fans preview the upcoming salute to the songs of ABBA and the group's proud heritage. Remember to explore, learn and live and catch us each Friday for travel, art, nature and more.