Mar 24, 2023 - Things to Do

Peek inside King Tut's tomb at new COSI exhibit

King Tut's mask, in solid gold, on display

A replica of the 25-pound solid gold mask found on Tutankhamun's mummy. Photos: Alissa Widman Neese/Axios

👋 Alissa here, reporting back from a fascinating trip inside King Tut's 3,300-year-old tomb.

  • OK, technically it was just a museum visit, but it certainly felt authentic.

What's happening: "Tutankhamun: His Tomb and His Treasures" is at COSI through Sept. 4, recreating the burial site of the boy king exactly as it was discovered.

Why it matters: Columbus is the only U.S. city displaying the popular touring exhibit this year — 100 years since the tomb's contents were unearthed.

  • It showcases 1,000 replica objects created by Egyptian artists and is said to be more complete than any previous exhibition of original artifacts.

Of note: The originals aren't currently viewable even in Egypt, as construction wraps up on a Grand Egyptian Museum to house them.

Catch up quick: Pharaoh Tutankhamun ascended to the throne around 1332 B.C. at age 9. He died 10 years later, possibly from a leg injury or illness.

  • His biggest achievement was restoring traditional Egyptian religion and art after his father's radical reforms destabilized the country.
  • Tut is best known for his tomb — found largely intact in 1922 and opened in 1923 — that is considered one of the most significant archaeological discoveries of the modern era.

How it works: COSI's 15,000-square-foot exhibit starts by recreating a treasury, coffin chamber and antechamber, supplemented by videos and a carry-along audio guide.

  • After those three rooms, all the beautiful afterlife treasures are displayed individually in a traditional museum setting, from massive coffins and shrines to intricate jewelry and reed pens. Explore up-close at your own pace.
Two replica coffins shaped like Tutankhamun laying on their backs
Replicas of Tutankhamun's outer and middle coffins, over seven feet long.

My take: The artifacts were breathtaking, like a history book come to life.

  • Don't be deterred by the fact that they're replicas — you'll still be wowed by the gold-gilded objects shining under the spotlights.

💡 Pro tips: The first weekend sold out and tomorrow nearly has too, so reserve a timed ticket early if you hope to visit soon.

  • Set aside about two hours to see and hear everything.

🎟️ If you go: 10am-5pm (7pm through April 1). $40 adults, $35 ages 2-12, including COSI admission.

Gold statues of Tutankhamun and Egyptian gods
Statues of Tutankhamun and Egyptian gods.
Tutankhamun's inner gold coffin, shaped in his likeness
A replica of Tutankhamun's inner gold coffin, shaped in his likeness and weighing 234 pounds.
Tutankhamun's gold throne, depicting an image of him and his wife Ankhesenamen
A replica of Tutankhamun's gold throne, depicting his wife Ankhesenamen anointing him, flanked by ostrich feathers.
Tutankhamun's footrest below his throne, depicting chiefs of foreign lands
A replica of Tutankhamun's throne footrest, symbolically depicting chiefs of foreign lands as enemies under his feet.
A recreation of Tutankhamun's first shrine, with fully gold-gilded walls
A gold-gilded replica of the inner-most of four shrines that contained Tutankhamun's mummy.
A replica of the gold-gilded shrine and stone chest that contained Tutankhamun's organs
A replica of the gold-gilded canopic shrine and stone canpoic chest that held Tutankhamun's mummified organs.
Tutankhamun's gold sandals, collars and finger and toe stalls
Replicas of Tutankhamun's gold sandals, collars and finger and toe stalls, which protected digits during burial.
A replica of one of six gold chariots found in Tutankhamun's tomb
A golden replica of one of six chariots found inside Tutankhamun's tomb.
A shield depicting Tutankhamun as a golden sphinx
A shield depicting Tutankhamun as a golden sphinx.
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