UNEARTH THE MYSTERIES OF EGYPT IN A BRAND NEW EXHIBITION
Opening February 2 at Great Lakes Science Center, Lost Egypt: Ancient Secrets, Modern Science

January 7th, 2013

Cleveland (January 7, 2013) - LOST EGYPT: ANCIENT SECRETS, MODERN SCIENCE is a new traveling exhibition opening Saturday, February 2, at Great Lakes Science Center. 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. The exhibit is created and produced by COSI, the Center of Science and Industry in Columbus, Ohio and built by the Science Museum of Minnesota.

This interactive exhibit 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 explore a re-creation of an Egyptian tomb, and authentic art and artifacts from the daily life and funerary culture of ancient Egypt. COSI traveled to Cairo and Luxor to work with and learn from some of the worlds’ foremost authorities on Egypt who are featured in the exhibition. Visitors will be able to connect with them through video interviews and photographs from the field.

“Lost Egypt makes an unforgettable connection between past and present customs, cultures and sciences,” said Dante Centuori, director of creative productions, Great Lakes Science Center. “This exhibition is particularly inspiring for young people, illuminating the roles they can play as future archaeologists, scientists, engineers, technicians and life-long learners.”

Lost Egypt explores how modern archaeologists use science and technology to uncover and understand the people and culture of ancient Egypt. The exhibit is divided into four content areas: Orientation Entrance, a modern Egyptian street scene transports visitors to Egypt where they learn about some of the archeologists working in Egypt today. Field Site, where visitors explore the tools, techniques, science and technologies used at the Lost City of the Pyramid Builders on the Giza Plateau. In Ancient Egyptian Culture visitors see a human mummy, funerary artifacts and exhibits about the art and language of ancient Egypt. 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.

Exhibition Highlights:
• A real human mummy and a life-size rapid prototype, displaying the mummy in a stage of "unwrapping," plus scans and forensic facial reconstructions of mummies
• Animal mummies, plus scans and information about animals in ancient Egypt
• Art and artifacts from the daily life and funerary culture of ancient Egypt
• Connections to real scientists working on projects in Egypt, including video interviews, written graphics, objects and photographs from the field
• Connections to the scientific process used by archaeologists and other scientists, including hands-on challenges, interactive exhibits and technology
• Connections to how ancient Egyptian people and culture relate to us today

Lost Egypt 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. Explore how mummies, artifacts and other material remains contribute to our scientific understanding of past cultures.

Lost Egypt: Ancient Secrets, Modern Science was produced by COSI in cooperation with the Science Museum Exhibit Collaborative, and was designed and built by the Science Museum of Minnesota. Artifacts are on loan from the Brooklyn Museum and The Academy of Natural Sciences in Philadelphia. Photography © 2008 Brad Feinknopf. Mummy scans © 2005 Akhmim Mummy Studies Consortium. Exhibit is still in development; content subject to change.

Media Contact:
Kristen Glaspell
Marketing & PR Manager
216-696-3823
glaspellk@glsc.org

About Great Lakes Science Center
Great Lakes Science Center is one of the nation’s leading science and technology centers and home to Northeast Ohio’s NASA Glenn Visitor Center. Its mission is to stimulate interest in and increase understanding of the sciences, with a particular emphasis on the interdependence of scientific, environmental and technological activities in the Great Lakes region. It features hundreds of hands-on exhibits, themed traveling exhibits, daily demonstrations, the awe-inspiring OMNIMAX® Theater and the Steamship William G. Mather. The Science Center is open daily 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Discounted parking is available for guests in the attached 500-car garage. Great Lakes Science Center is generously funded by the citizens of Cuyahoga County through Cuyahoga Arts and Culture. For more information, contact the Science Center at (216) 694-2000 or visit www.GreatScience.com.

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