Latest news with #Tutankhamen
New York Times
4 days ago
- General
- New York Times
Was This Artifact From King Tut's Tomb? It's for Sale Anyway.
After discovering King Tutankhamen's tomb, the British archaeologist Howard Carter spent years cataloging the thousands of priceless artifacts inside, including life-size statues of the ancient Egyptian pharaoh, glittering thrones, and the boy king's funeral mask. He also pilfered some for himself. Now, one object that Egyptologists have for decades said that Carter likely stole is to be auctioned — despite some experts saying the sale should not occur. On Sunday, Apollo Art Auctions, a small auction house in London, is to sell the so-called Guennol Grasshopper. The intricately carved ivory and wood container is in the shape of the noisy insect, with wings that swing outward to reveal a hole to store perfume. The grasshopper, which the auction house says in promotional material is 'from the age of Tutankhamen,' has an estimated price of up to 500,000 pounds, or about $675,000. The auction listing says the item previously traded hands for $1.2 million. Apollo Art Auctions said in an emailed statement that there was 'no documented evidence' that the vessel came from the pharoah's tomb. 'The item does not appear on any official excavation inventories,' the statement said. Still, for some Egyptologists there is little doubt about its origins. Christian Loeben, of the Museum August Kestner in Hanover, Germany, who has written about Carter's career, said in an interview that he was 'quite convinced' that the grasshopper could only have come from the tomb. Want all of The Times? Subscribe.
Time of India
29-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Time of India
Hong Kong Palace Museum to exhibit Egyptian relics in landmark cultural collaboration
Live Events (You can now subscribe to our (You can now subscribe to our Economic Times WhatsApp channel The Hong Kong Palace Museum and Egypt's Supreme Council of Antiquities have formalized a new cultural partnership with the launch of the museum's most extensive exhibition of Egyptian antiquities . Titled, the showcase will open on November 20, 2025, and run through August 31, exhibition will feature 250 relics on loan from Egypt, including a 2.8-meter-tall statue of Pharaoh Tutankhamen, mummified cats, anthropoid coffins, and a statue of the goddess Bastet holding a sistrum. This marks the first collaboration between the Hong Kong Palace Museum, located in the West Kowloon Cultural District, and the Supreme Council of read: Labubu effect: When cuteness becomes a billion-dollar business Dr. Mohamed Ismail Khaled, secretary general of the council, emphasized that the collaboration represents the beginning of deeper cultural exchanges. 'We were discussing today [about] future collaborations from different themes and also different artefacts that will be allowed to travel [from Egypt], or maybe new discoveries,' he noted that future exhibitions could also include Islamic art from Egypt, including pieces from Iran and Turkey. 'We are speaking about everything, we are open to everything, in order to do collaboration,' he to Khaled, the decision to collaborate with the Hong Kong Palace Museum was influenced by Egypt's diplomatic relationship with China and the museum's emerging prominence in the international museum community. 'That's why we thought it would be nice to show the Egyptian artefacts here in Hong Kong,' Khaled said, adding that the initiative would also promote tourism to read: Hong Kong works on image overhaul to attract overseas visitors The partnership opens opportunities for additional high-profile loans and potentially more comprehensive exhibitions that include notable artefacts and mummies in future Museum of Islamic Art in Cairo, which houses one of the world's largest collections of Islamic artefacts, was cited by Khaled as a potential contributor to future exhibitions. This includes objects of cultural significance from across the Islamic world, presenting new thematic avenues for ongoing also expressed hope that the exhibition would encourage more visitors from Hong Kong and mainland China to explore Egypt's temples, tombs, and archaeological sites in person.
Perth Now
26-06-2025
- Health
- Perth Now
Ancient Eyptian mummy fungus could be secret to powerful new cancer drug
A deadly fungus once blamed for the legendary 'mummy's curse' in King Tut's tomb could have secret cancer-fighting powers, researchers have claimed. The notorious Aspergillus flavus - responsible for lung infections in tomb explorers, such as those excavating the final resting place of King Tutankhamen's - may be the unlikely saviour in the fight against leukemia. University of Pennsylvania scientists have isolated a new class of molecules—asperigimycins—from the fungus. Two of these compounds, even unmodified, killed leukemia cells in the lab. A third, enhanced with a fatty lipid chain, matched the power of FDA-approved drugs like cytarabine. These molecules block microtubules - the cell's division machinery - bringing rogue cancer cells to a halt. The findings were published in a new study in Nature Chemical Biology on Monday (23.06.25). Sherry Gao - associate professor in chemical and biomolecular engineering and bioengineering at Penn, a senior author on the study - said: "Fungi gave us penicillin. These results show that many more medicines derived from natural products remain to be found.' 'Cancer cells divide uncontrollably. These compounds block the formation of microtubules, which are essential for cell division.' Scientists from UPenn led a multi-university collaboration in the study along with researchers from Rice, Baylor, Washington University and others.
Scottish Sun
16-06-2025
- Scottish Sun
Long-awaited opening of the world's biggest $1bn mega-museum housing ‘cursed' coffin is delayed AGAIN over war tensions
Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) THE opening of a mega-museum - home to the famous "cursed" coffin - has been postponed again over war tensions. Cairo's Grand Egyptian Museum will be home to more than 100,000 artefacts and the largest collection of Tutankhamun artefacts ever displayed. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 9 The main hall of the Grand Egyptian Museum was opened for limited tours last year 9 The museum will delay its official opening following escalated tensions between Iran and Israel 9 Tutankhamun's cursed coffin will be housed in the impressive museum Although some parts of the museum are open already, King Tut's galleries were being held off until July 3. But in a statement released today, the tourism and antiquities ministries announced it will now not open until the end of the year due to Israel and Iran's recent conflict. "In light of the current regional development, it has decided to postpone" the opening of the museum, officials said. They added: 'A new date … will be announced in due course, following coordination with all relevant authorities to ensure the organisation of an event that reflects Egypt's prominent cultural and tourism status on the international stage.' The museum covers an impressive 500,000 square feet, making it the biggest museum in the world dedicated to a single civilisation - ancient Egypt. Visitors will enter the museum through a spectacular alabaster archway, before being greeted by an impressive 83 ton statue of Ramses II, which dates back 3200 years. They will then head up the grand staircase, past an impressive display of statues of ancient kings and gods. From there they will have an impressive view of the pyramids, which are just a mile away. The museum boasts twelve galleries containing art ranging more than 3000 years. Visitors will also be able to see the dazzling treasures of Queen Hetepheres, the mum of the builder of the Great Pyramid, including her alabaster sarcophagus, furniture and jewellery, along with King Khufu's grand cedar wood boat. Mystery Solved: The Story of 'The Screaming Woman' Mummy (1) Construction of the site began in 2005, but came to a halt during the Arab Spring in 2011. Work resumed in 2014, and a decade later the museum is finally opening. The project has cost $1.3 billion, but it is hoped it will boost the Egyptian economy by attracting tourists from across the world. The 'cursed' coffin The Tutankhamen collection is currently in the old Egyptian museum in downtown Cairo, but will be moved ahead of the official opening. Tutankhamen's body will remain in his tomb in the Valley of the Kings in Luxor. The tomb was discovered by English archaeologist Howard Carter in 1922 after seven years of searching. The discovery of Tutankhamen's tomb is associated with a dark curse. Following the unearthing of Tutankhamen's remains, various figures connected with the expedition died in mysterious circumstances. These included Lord Canarvon, the financial backer of the excavation team, who died from an infected mosquito bite. Sir Archibald Douglas-Reid, who X-rayed the pharaoh's remains, was killed by a mystery illness. Carter himself died in 1939 from Hodgkin's Disease aged 64. No royal tombs had been uncovered since King Tut's until last week when archaeologists discovered King Thutmose II's burial site. 9 The architectural marvel is being built to house thousands of pharaonic artefacts from the ancient era 9 Visitors gather in front of an obelisk during a guided tour of the main hall of the Grand Egyptian Museum 9 The 'Grand Staircase' at the Egyptian Museum The king's mummified remains had been found two centuries ago but his his tomb was never found. The entrance to the tomb and its main passage were initially discovered in 2022, but continued excavations found evidence linking it to the Pharaoh. Fragments of vases inscribed with the Pharaoh's name were found, identifying Thutmose II as the 'deceased king'. Sections of a religious text and blue paint and yellow stars that were placed in the tomb of kings were also found. Dr. Mohamed Ismail Khaled, Secretary-General of Egypt's Supreme Council of Antiquities,described the discovery as one of the "most significant archaeological finds in recent years". King Thutmose II was the fourth Pharaoh of Egypt's 18th Dynasty, and is thought to have reigned from about 1493 BC to 1479 BC. He died at the age of 30. King Thutmose II was married to Queen Hatshepsut, who made history as a powerful female pharaoh. GLIMPSE OF THE PAST The grand museum has been designed in a way that pays tribute to its historic surroundings. Shaped like a chamfered triangle, the museum aligns with the Great Pyramid of Khufu and the Pyramid of Menkaure - and is built extremely close to the great structures. The museum's design was picked through an international architectural competition in 2002 that attracted more than 1,500 entries from around the world. And winning design was a brainchild of Heneghan Peng Architects in Dublin, Ireland, who are known for their unique, colossal designs. Incredible plans for the architectural marvel were first revealed in 1992 a huge, empty site close to the Giza pyramids was secured by the then-president of Egypt Hosni Mubarak. However, construction could only begin in 2012 - and the structural shell was completed in just three years, with the museum expected to open by 2018. But several political and economic setbacks kept the plans on hold. The Grand Egyptian Museum is now expected to open by the end of this year. Who was King Tutankhamen? Here's everything you need to know about King Tut... King Tutankhamen is the most famous of Egypt's ancient pharaohs He ruled Egypt more than 3,000 years ago from 1332 to 1323 BC Tut is known as the "boy king" as he was just 10 years old when he took the thrown When he became the king he married his half-sister Ankhesenpaaten. They had two daughters together but both were stillborn. Tut died aged just 19 under mysterious circumstances Some believe that King Tut was assassinated but most believe that his death was an accident The pharaoh is also famous for the supposed curse that haunts his tomb After the tomb's discovery in 1922, archaeologists, and even their family members, died from horrible illnesses or in strange accidents – and some say the deaths weren't a coincidence 9 People gather around a depiction of the ancient Egyptian Pharaoh Tutankhamun's death mask 9 An incredible exhibition space of more than 4,000 square metres will display hundreds of ancient pharaonic artefacts
The Irish Sun
16-06-2025
- The Irish Sun
Long-awaited opening of the world's biggest $1bn mega-museum housing ‘cursed' coffin is delayed AGAIN over war tensions
THE opening of a mega-museum - home to the famous "cursed" coffin - has been postponed again over war tensions. Cairo's Grand Egyptian Museum will be home to more than 100,000 artefacts and the largest collection of Tutankhamun artefacts ever displayed. Advertisement 9 The main hall of the Grand Egyptian Museum was opened for limited tours last year 9 The museum will delay its official opening following escalated tensions between Iran and Israel 9 Tutankhamun's cursed coffin will be housed in the impressive museum Although some parts of the But in a statement released today, the tourism and antiquities ministries announced it will now not open until the end of the year due to Israel and Iran's recent conflict. "In light of the current regional development, it has decided to postpone" the opening of the museum, officials said. They added: 'A new date … will be announced in due course, following coordination with all relevant authorities to ensure the organisation of an event that reflects Egypt's prominent cultural and tourism status on the international stage.' Advertisement Read more on World The museum covers an impressive 500,000 square feet, making it the biggest museum in the world dedicated to a single civilisation - ancient Visitors will enter the museum through a spectacular alabaster archway, before being greeted by an impressive 83 ton statue of Ramses II, which dates back 3200 years. They will then head up the grand staircase, past an impressive display of statues of ancient kings and gods. From there they will have an impressive view of the pyramids, which are just a mile away. Advertisement Most read in The US Sun Latest The museum boasts twelve galleries containing art ranging more than 3000 years. Visitors will also be able to see the dazzling treasures of Queen Hetepheres, the mum of the builder of the Great Pyramid, including her alabaster sarcophagus, furniture and jewellery, along with King Khufu's grand cedar wood boat. Mystery Solved: The Story of 'The Screaming Woman' Mummy (1) Construction of the site began in 2005, but came to a halt during the Arab Work resumed in 2014, and a decade later the museum is finally opening. Advertisement The project has cost $1.3 billion, but it is hoped it will boost the Egyptian economy by attracting tourists from across the world. The 'cursed' coffin The Tutankhamen collection is currently in the old Egyptian museum in downtown Cairo, but will be moved ahead of the official opening. Tutankhamen's body will remain in his tomb in the Valley of the Kings in Luxor. The tomb was discovered by English archaeologist Advertisement The discovery of Tutankhamen's tomb is associated with a dark curse. Following the unearthing of Tutankhamen's remains, various figures connected with the expedition died in mysterious circumstances. These included Lord Canarvon, the financial backer of the excavation team, who died from an infected mosquito bite. Sir Archibald Douglas-Reid, who X-rayed the pharaoh's remains, was killed by a mystery illness. Advertisement Carter himself died in 1939 from Hodgkin's Disease aged 64. No royal tombs had been uncovered since King Tut's until last week when archaeologists discovered King Thutmose II's burial site. 9 The architectural marvel is being built to house thousands of pharaonic artefacts from the ancient era 9 Visitors gather in front of an obelisk during a guided tour of the main hall of the Grand Egyptian Museum Advertisement 9 The 'Grand Staircase' at the Egyptian Museum The king's mummified remains had been found two centuries ago but his his tomb was never found. The entrance to the tomb and its main passage were initially discovered in 2022, but continued excavations found evidence linking it to the Pharaoh. Fragments of vases inscribed with the Pharaoh's name were found, identifying Thutmose II as the 'deceased king'. Advertisement Sections of a religious text and blue paint and yellow stars that were placed in the tomb of kings were also found. Dr. Mohamed Ismail Khaled, Secretary-General of Egypt's Supreme Council of Antiquities,described the discovery as one of the "most significant archaeological finds in recent years". King Thutmose II was the fourth Pharaoh of King Thutmose II was married to Queen Hatshepsut, who made Advertisement GLIMPSE OF THE PAST The grand museum has been designed in a way that pays tribute to its historic surroundings. Shaped like a chamfered triangle, the museum aligns with the Great Pyramid of Khufu and the Pyramid of Menkaure - and is built extremely close to the great structures. The museum's design was picked through an international architectural competition in 2002 that attracted more than 1,500 entries from around the world. And winning design was a brainchild of Heneghan Peng Architects in Dublin, Ireland, who are known for their unique, colossal designs. Advertisement Incredible plans for the architectural marvel were first revealed in 1992 a huge, empty site close to the Giza pyramids was secured by the then-president of However, construction could only begin in 2012 - and the structural shell was completed in just three years, with the museum expected to open by 2018. But several political and economic setbacks kept the plans on hold. The Grand Egyptian Museum is now expected to open by the end of this year. Advertisement Who was King Tutankhamen? Here's everything you need to know about King Tut... King Tutankhamen is the most famous of Egypt's ancient pharaohs He ruled Egypt more than 3,000 years ago from 1332 to 1323 BC Tut is known as the "boy king" as he was just 10 years old when he took the thrown When he became the king he married his half-sister Ankhesenpaaten. They had two daughters together but both were stillborn. Tut died aged just 19 under mysterious circumstances Some believe that King Tut was assassinated but most believe that his death was an accident The pharaoh is also famous for the supposed curse that haunts his tomb After the tomb's discovery in 1922, archaeologists, and even their family members, died from horrible illnesses or in strange accidents – and some say the deaths weren't a coincidence 9 People gather around a depiction of the ancient Egyptian Pharaoh Tutankhamun's death mask 9 An incredible exhibition space of more than 4,000 square metres will display hundreds of ancient pharaonic artefacts 9 An ancient monument inside The Grand Egyptian Museum
