The story of ancient Egypt’s boy king, Tutankhamun, and the archaeologist who uncovered his tomb more than a century ago is being brought to life in a new digital exhibition at London’s Excel Centre.
The discovery of Tutankhamun’s 3,000-year-old tomb by British archaeologist Howard Carter in 1922 was a groundbreaking moment in archaeology. Now, visitors can experience the journey through an immersive, 360-degree digital experience produced by Madrid Artes Digitales.
Jelle de Jong, the company’s CEO, described the exhibition’s main attraction—an 8-meter-high, 1,200-square-meter display that takes viewers on a 30-minute cinematic journey through ancient Egypt’s landscapes, cultural heritage, and the discovery of Tutankhamun’s tomb.
“We really feel like we’re in the midst of a movie, seeing the Nile, the Sphinx, and the pyramids,” de Jong said. “You step inside the tomb and experience the beauty of Egypt in the most grand way.”
Visitors can also use virtual reality headsets to step into Carter’s shoes, exploring a digital recreation of the Valley of the Kings and the treasures within Tutankhamun’s tomb. The VR experience allows guests to navigate Carter’s base camp, browse his notebooks, and listen to music from the day he made his historic find.
The exhibition features both genuine and replica artifacts, but its main draw is the cutting-edge technology that transports guests back in time to experience the moment Carter peered through a hole in the tomb’s antechamber. According to curator Nacho Ares, it recreates Carter’s famous exchange with his patron, Lord Carnarvon.
“He introduced a candle, waited a few seconds, and when Lord Carnarvon asked, ‘Can you see anything?’ Carter replied, ‘Yes, wonderful things,’” Ares said.
The fascination with Tutankhamun has endured since his tomb’s discovery, with lingering mysteries about a supposed curse and the cause of his death. Researchers now believe the young pharaoh died from injuries sustained in a chariot accident, but his mummy and the 5,398 artifacts buried with him remain crucial clues to his life and reign.
Tutankhamun: The Immersive Exhibition opens March 28 at London’s Excel Centre and runs for 14 weeks.