NEW MUMMIES, NEW GALLERIES, NEW STORIES IN MUMMIES OF THE WORLD: THE EXHIBITION
OPENING DECEMBER 18 AT THE LEONARDO
Showcasing a new collection of real mummies and artifacts, the most successful museum touring exhibition in the United States returns for a limited 79-day engagement
SALT LAKE CITY, UT (November 10, 2015) – One of The Leonardo’s most successful exhibitions will return December 18th with a new collection of mummies and artifacts, new galleries and all-new stories. The exhibition the New York Times calls “magical and mythical” has already been seen by more than 1.4 million people across the nation.
Featuring real mummies and artifacts from South America, Europe and ancient Egypt—some dating back more than 4,500 years—Mummies of the World is the largest exhibition of real mummies ever assembled and presents a never-before-seen collection of naturally and intentionally preserved mummies.
“People have always been fascinated with mummies,” said Marcus Corwin, President of American Exhibitions, Inc., the producer of the exhibition. “Wherever people have encountered mummies, they have been captivated. Even Hollywood has had a fascination with mummies. They evoke a deep interest from the public because they represent something between life and death. Remember, these are real people who had real lives like you and I,” said Corwin.
This new collection explores the links between mummies, science and medicine including the Burns Collection, a historic collection of medical mummies dating from the early 19th century. These mummies have been used to demonstrate and teach anatomy, pathology and surgery during the early stages of formalized medical education. The exhibit also features MUMAB, a never-seen-before modern-day ancient mummy. This mummy, the first of its kind, was created in 1994 by Egyptologist, Bob Brier and Anatomist Ronn Wade, working together at the University of Maryland, School of Medicine using the same tools and techniques of the ancient Egyptians. The mummy, as well as the techniques on display, have been featured by National Geographic.
“The first engagement of Mummies of the World was one of the most successful exhibitions The Leonardo has ever displayed, and we are thrilled to bring its sequel back to Salt Lake City,” said Alexandra Hesse, Executive Director of The Leonardo. “We especially appreciate how Mummies of the World allows us to make connections between ourselves and the entire human family.”
Through modern science, engaging interactives and multimedia exhibits, the exhibition reveals how the scientific study of mummies provides a window into the lives of ancient people from every region of the world, offering unprecedented insights into past cultures and civilizations.
Described as “fascinating, intriguing, and inspiring,” by NBC, “absolutely extraordinary,” by NPR and “a must see,” by FOX TV, Mummies of the World will instill a sense of curiosity and wonder in each and every visitor.
Inside every mummy is a story waiting to be told. Explore them all at Mummies of the World.
The Mummies of the World exhibit will be on display at The Leonardo for a limited time, beginning on December 18, 2015 and running through March 6, 2016. For more information or to buy tickets, please visit www.theleonardo.org or www.mummiesoftheworld.com.
About The Leonardo
Located in the heart of Salt Lake City, The Leonardo is a modern museum that challenges visitors to think like the great artist and engineer, Leonardo Da Vinici. By blending exhibits, programs and experiences that highlight the connections between art, science and technology, The Leonardo encourages visitors to see the world from an entirely new perspective—and connect to what matters most. For more information, visit www.theleonardo.org.
About American Exhibitions, Inc.
American Exhibitions, Inc. (AEI) is a producer of world-class touring exhibitions for science centers and museums. As a member of the Association of Science-Technology Centers (ASTC) and the American Association of Museums (AAM), American Exhibitions, Inc. is one of the largest privately-funded exhibition producers in the United States.
AEI is committed to working in partnership with science centers and museums, presenting educational exhibitions which will promote optimal ticket sales, fuel capital campaigns and fund the revenue efforts of each venue. For more information, please visit www.americanexhibitions.com
