Egypt: The Time of Pharaohs Opens at NHMU May 20

SALT LAKE CITY, May 17, 2021 – Take a journey along the River Nile 5,000 years ago to one of the most advanced ancient civilizations. Egypt: The Time of Pharaohs at Natural History Museum of Utah explores the fascinating world of ancient Egypt.

Opening to the public this Thursday, May 20, the latest special exhibition at NHMU guides visitors through the fascinating and mysterious lives of pharaohs. Discover the ancient Egyptian art, cultural splendor, miracles and mysteries that have captivated imaginations worldwide.

This vivid artifact-rich experience unveils the day-to-day lifestyle of pharaohs, commoners, gods, kings and queens. It reveals their economic, political, mythological and cultural beliefs. Experience over 350 original artifacts—including of the mummy Ta-Kar, the coffin for the Overseer of the Granary Nakht, the slab stela of Iunu, and a papyrus from The Book of the Dead—some of them over 4,500 years old, as well as detailed, interactive models of once-lost cities and landscapes.

The immersive display also includes 20 media stations, ten replicas, and nine interactive, true-to-scale models of houses, cities and landscapes, along with hands-on elements, animations, videos and holograms.

“This exhibit is one of the largest traveling exhibitions on ancient Egypt,” said Jason Cryan, executive director of Natural History Museum of Utah. “The exhibit explores ancient Egyptian culture from the perspectives of both the pharaohs and the ruling class as well as that of every day Egyptians. Our visitors will come away with a new-found appreciation for this period of human history. We’re thrilled to showcase it here at NHMU.”

Don’t miss this thrilling exhibition at the Natural History Museum of Utah. Entrance into Egypt: The Time of Pharaohs is included in the Museum’s price of general admission. An ongoing visitor policy is in place to prioritize the health and comfort of all Museum guests. Tickets must be reserved online in advance and will not be available for purchase at the Museum. For additional information, visit nhmu.utah.edu.

An exhibition of this scale would simply not be possible without the help and support of partners throughout the community. We are deeply grateful to the following who are doing so much to make Egypt possible:

Presenting Sponsor

George S. and Dolores Doré Eccles Foundation

Major Sponsor

My Good Fund

Exhibit Sponsors

Jim and Lyn Hinckley

Janet Quinney Lawson Foundation

Lawrence T. & Janet T. Dee Foundation

S.J. and Jessie E. Quinney Foundation

Sam and Diane Stewart Family Foundation

Sorenson Legacy Foundation

Community Sponsors

Clark and Nancy Giles Special Exhibition Endowed Fund

The DiFiore Family Foundation

JoAnne L. Shrontz Family Foundation

Marriner S. Eccles Foundation

The Potter Family

Institutional Support

Salt Lake County Zoo, Arts, and Parks

Utah Office of Tourism

This exhibition is a joint venture between and produced by MuseumsPartner in Austria, the University of Aberdeen Museum, the Roemer- und Pelizaeus-Museum and Lokschuppen.

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About the Natural History Museum of Utah

The Natural History Museum of Utah is one of the leading scientific research and cultural institutions in the country. Established in 1963, the Museum’s collections contain over 1.6 million objects and offers innovative exhibitions and educational programs to thousands of residents and visitors each year, including traveling and permanent exhibits, special events and other programs. With an expected attendance of 300,000 visitors a year, the Museum also offers a variety of outreach programs to communities and schools throughout Utah, reaching every school district in the state annually. The Museum has an active science program with more than 30 scientists and 10 field exhibitions each year.