The Kunst- und Ausstellungshalle (Art and Exhibition Hall of the Federal Republic of Germany) in Bonn in collaboration with the Deutsche Telekom was successful in bringing the fascinating treasures from the tomb of the legendary Pharaoh Tutankhamun to Germany. The first station in Europe is the Basel Museum of Ancient Art (until 3 october). For the first time in over 20 years we now have the possibility of a reunion with many of the exhibits of the legendary shows in Paris, London and Cologne.

For six months, from 4 November 2004 to 1 May 2005, we display 50 important works of art from the tomb of Tutankhamun, sucessor of Akhenaten. They will be accompanied by photos of Howard Carter taken 1922 to illustrate impressively the condition of the tomb during the first opening.

Further 70 select pieces from the Valley of the Kings and surrounding temples bring the historic context of history and tomb equipment of the 18th dynasty (1555 to 1305 BC) around. The masterpieces come from the time between 1427 to 1323 BC. A coloured reconstruction of the tomb, which sensational finding through Howard Carter in November 1922 moved the world, intensifies the insight of the Golden Beyond of the Pharaohs.

Gold (“Flesh of the Gods”) was considered in Ancient Egypt to be the colour of the everlasting sun and hence symbolized rebirth in the afterlife. The subtitle of the exhibition refers to the religious meaning of the golden tomb treasures who are around 3500 years old. The golden tomb of Tuyu (an ancestor of Tutankhamun) and the diadem of Tutankhamun, which was found on the head of the mummy in the tomb, are counted as some of the most outstanding exhibits.


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The exhibits are arranged chronologically, starting with Thutmosis IV and the funeray goods of Amenophis II, who ruled in the last quarter of the 15th century BC, and exhibits from the tomb of the courtier Maiherpri; followed by showpieces out of the tomb of Yuya and Tuyu, Amenophis’ III parents-in-law. Adding the “heretic” king Akhenaten in conjunction with the mysterious Armarna burial, the exhibition finishs with the tomb treasure of Tutankhamun.


The computer animation of Art+Com gives an introduction to the geographical coherence and describes the tomb architecture from the early to the late dynasties.