SCI To Host Midwest Premiere of "Lost Egypt: Ancient Secrets, Modern Science"

For Immediate Release — Wednesday, September 21, 2011

Lost Egypt is an immersive quest for knowledge that reveals how archaeologists use modern science and technology to uncover and understand the ancient civilization of Egypt. Through hands-on challenges, authentic artifacts and guidance from real archaeologists, visitors will unearth the mysteries of Egypt, its culture and its people.

“Lost Egypt makes an unforgettable connection between past and present customs, cultures and sciences,” said Art Wittmack, SCI’s Interim President and CEO. “This exhibit is particularly exciting for SCI, because we believe it will engage all audiences – from families to the lifelong learners who experienced Da Vinci – The Genius and BODY WORLDS Vital.”

Visitors will learn about archaeology and the work of archaeologists, including how science changes over time as new techniques are developed and new information is uncovered. Visitors also will be invited to explore how mummies, artifacts and other material remains contribute to our scientific understanding of past cultures.

This interactive exhibition features a real human mummy and animal mummies, as well as scans, forensic facial reconstructions and for the first time ever, a life-size rapid prototype of a mummy in a stage of “unwrapping.” Visitors will explore a re-creation of an Egyptian tomb and authentic art and artifacts from the daily life and funerary culture of ancient Egypt.

Divided into four content areas, Lost Egypt transports visitors to a time and place far from our own and invites guests to step into the shoes of the scientists who uncover and study these ancient relics.

1. Orientation Entrance, a modern Egyptian street scene transports visitors to Egypt where they learn about some of the archeologists working in Egypt today.
2. Field Site, where visitors explore the tools, techniques, science and technologies used at the Lost City of the Pyramid Builders on the Giza Plateau.
3. In Ancient Egyptian Culture, visitors see a human mummy, funerary artifacts and exhibits about the art and language of ancient Egypt.
4. In the Laboratory, visitors discover animal mummies, X-rays and CT scans of human and animal mummies, facial reconstructions and rapid prototypes of ancient Egyptians.

Making its Midwest premiere at SCI as only the seventh venue to host this unique exhibition worldwide, SCI will continue its run of world-class traveling exhibitions that began in May 2010 and most recently featured Gunther von Hagens' BODY WORLDS Vital.

Supplementary Programming

The Science Center of Iowa will enhance the Lost Egypt: Ancient Secrets, Modern Science exhibition with new Egypt-themed live programming as well as supplemental activities, events and workshops for members and general visitors, including Egypt-focused winter camps offered December 27-30, 2011.

Complementary IMAX Film

Mummies: Secrets of the Pharaohs (40-minute documentary film)

Part historic journey and part forensic adventure, Mummies: Secrets of the Pharaohs follows researchers and explorers as they piece together the archaeological and genetic clues of Egyptian mummies. Through ambitious computer graphics and dramatic reconstructions, the film tells the story of one of the greatest finds in modern history: the late 19th century discovery of a cache of forty mummies, including twelve Kings of Egypt, among them the legendary Rameses the Great.

Visiting Information

Timed tickets to Lost Egypt are $16 for adults, $13 for children ages 2-12 and $14 for seniors. SCI members pay only $5. Estimated visiting time inside the exhibition is 60-90 minutes. Tickets to Lost Egypt include all-day admission to the Science Center.

For more information on the Lost Egypt exhibition and to purchase tickets, visit www.sciowa.org/lostegypt or call (515) 274-6868.

Previews of Lost Egypt will be available for members of the media on November 22. Email chris.beck@sciowa.org to make arrangements.

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About Lost Egypt: Lost Egypt: Ancient Secrets: Modern Science will allow visitors to learn about archaeology and the work of archaeologists, including how science changes over time as new techniques are developed and new information is uncovered. The exhibition was developed by the Center of Science and Industry in Columbus, Ohio, in cooperation with the Science Museum Exhibit Collaborative and was built by the Science Museum of Minnesota. Artifacts are on loan from the Brooklyn Museum and the Academy of Natural Sciences. Photography © 2008 Brad Feinknopf. Mummy scans © 2005 Akhmim Mummy Studies Consortium.

About the Science Center of Iowa & Blank IMAX Dome Theater

The Science Center of Iowa is a 110,000-sq. ft facility devoted to lifelong learning, featuring dynamic experience platforms and daily interactive demonstrations with SCI staff for visitors to explore and experiment.  By placing the power of learning in the hands of the visitor, the programmatic emphasis is not on "what" to learn, but "how" to learn.  SCI also features the 175-seat John Deere Adventure Theater for live performances, the 50-foot domed Star Theater for planetarium shows and the 216-seat Blank IMAX Dome Theater for engaging films.  SCI’s Iowa Learning Center cultivates ties to formal education through educational resources for educators and students, the NAEYC-accredited SCI Preschool, as well as a statewide outreach program.

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