Tut Tut

Convocation Hall, Toronto.

A double Tut treat Saturday: first a private walkthrough of the Tut show at the AGO courtesy of the Egyptian Tourism Authority, then a trek through the dusk to hear rockstar Egyptologist and Secretary General of Egypt’s Supreme Council of Antiquities Dr. Zahi Hawass speak at the U of T on the Mysteries of Tutankhamun Revealed.

Convocation Hall was packed with fans eager to hear the Discovery Channel darling and the charismatic Dr. Hawass did not disappoint. His slides were stunning; it’s amazing what he gets up (or down) to. We were the first to hear of major new discoveries made just two weeks ago. Stay up to date by visiting Dr. Hawass’s website.

I’ve been reading James Patterson‘s 2009 nonfiction thriller The Murder of King Tut and it’s a fun, well-researched read despite his murder theory being dashed by recent scientific evidence.

Dr. Hawass insists that the historic record (walking canes in Tut’s tomb, portraits showing him hunting from a seated position with cane in hand) indicates that the Boy Pharaoh had a severe genetic bone disease that was a major contributor to his death.

The private tour of the AGO’s Tut exhibit was a real pleasure. Without the crowds I was able to see more and linger where I wanted. If you haven’t seen it yet, go. It’s on until April 18th.