Tutankhamun Exhibition at the British Museum in 1972 a historical perspective

Abstract

The fiftieth anniversary of the discovery of Tutankhamun’s tomb by Carter and Carnarvon was celebrated at the British Museum in 1972 by an exhibition “the Treasures of Tutankhamun”. Fifty items from Tutankhamun’s collection were selected to be displayed on this occasion in London; seventeen pieces were being displayed outside Egypt for the first time. The exhibition had a humanitarian purpose as it helped in the heritage conservation in Egypt; its proceeds were devoted to the UNESCO fund project for moving the temples of Philae to a higher ground. Special Agreements were signed between the British and the Egyptians regarding the exhibition items and its security.