Courtesy photo

A replica of an Egyptian statue at the State Fair of Texas in Dallas.

The entrance of the exhibit was dark and hushed. A tour guide stood at the head of the small darkened room and gave the group a brief introduction to the beginning of the tour. A short film is shown to enhance your visit. Then the door is opened and you enter into the world of the tomb of King Tutankhamen.

Uniquely designed rooms lead you like catacombs into this National Geographic exhibition. History is in every room of artifacts dating back to before 3200 B.C. A golden and glass jeweled sarcophagus, knife and jewelry of fine craftsmanship are enclosed in glass casings. You can look in, only inches away, and view from all sides.

You are shown short videos as you walk the tour that takes at least one and a half hours to complete. They offer benches on which to take short breaks.

You learn of the man who first discovered the tomb of King Tut, Howard Carter, and how a water boy accidentally uncovered the first steps of the tomb.

There are models of wooden boats that were to be used by the king to travel from death into the after life. You also learn how so many of the ancient tombs were robbed over the years, and yet King Tut’s tomb was left much intact.

You are given little bits of history in every piece shown. In the room modeled to show you about his coffin, you learn how the pharaoh’s body was mummified and are shown crafted jars that were used to hold organs, such as his heart and lungs.

King Tut was only 9 years old when he became ruler. His sarcophagus was in layers 13 feet in length. Beautifully crafted gold encases his mummified body. He died rather suddenly at the age of 19.

They show you how to learn to read hieroglyphs. And how the stories of the king are told on the walls of the tomb. And so much more.

As medical devices are invented, more tests are conducted on his mummified body. And over the past few years more and more has been learned about the King.

I recommend you buy the audio tour if you go. It is a light device that hangs on your neck, and details parts of the exhibit you don’t want to miss, with narration by Omar Sharif. The audio tour is worth the small fee to use it.

For information about ticket sales and schedules, visit DallasMuseumofart.org/TUT.

The exhibit is scheduled to last until May.

Chrystal Holman lives in Abilene