MUMMIES OF THE WORLD Exhibition Makes Southern U.S. Premiere at Discovery Place on 11.11.11

Tickets on Sale Now for World’s Largest Collection of Real Mummies

July 06, 2011

CHARLOTTE, N.C. – A 6,420-year-old child mummy from Peru, one of the oldest mummies ever discovered, joins an astonishing collection of mummies and related artifacts in the extraordinary exhibition Mummies of the World, which will make its southern U.S. premiere at Discovery Place on November 11, 2011. The presentation in Charlotte will mark the fourth stop of the exhibition’s exclusive seven-city tour. Discovery Place, one of the most visited museums in North Carolina, has hosted a series of highly-acclaimed science exhibitions in recent years including the Dead Sea Scrolls, BODY WORLDS and A Day in Pompeii. Mummies of the World is the first exhibition of its kind to be showcased at Discovery Place, presenting both naturally and intentionally preserved mummies from around the world in a never-before-seen collection unlike anything else that has ever toured the United States.

Mummies of the World is the largest exhibition of real mummies and related artifacts ever assembled. Featuring an astounding collection of 150 real human and animal specimens and authentic artifacts from South America, Europe, Asia, Oceania and Egypt, the exhibition provides a window into the lives of ancient people from every region of the world and offers unprecedented insights into past cultures and civilizations. Through modern science the exhibition also demonstrates that mummification – both through natural processes and intentional practices – has taken place all over the globe, from the hot desert sands of South America to remote European moors and bogs.

“We are excited to bring Mummies of the World to Charlotte, a city that is known for its commitment to arts, culture and education,” said Marc Corwin, president of American Exhibitions, Inc., producer of Mummies of the World . “The exhibition offers a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to explore the lives and cultures of ancient peoples. Inside every mummy is a story waiting to be told and through modern science and engaging interactives, their secrets are now revealed. We are pleased to be working with Discovery Place and look forward to being a part of the rich and diverse Charlotte-area community.”

Mummies of the World includes a mummified family from Hungary discovered in a forgotten church crypt; the Detmold Child, one of the oldest infant mummies ever discovered and almost 3,000 years older than King Tut; a 17th century German nobleman discovered in a family vault; and Egyptian animal mummies including a falcon, a fish, a dog and a baby crocodile, many of which were deliberately preserved to accompany royals for eternity.

Mummies of the World tells the story of the mummies through state-of-the-art multimedia, hands-on interactive stations and cutting-edge 3-D animation taking visitors on a 6,500-year journey to explore the mummies’ history and origins as well as how they were created through both intentional and natural processes. Through computer tomography (CT) scans, researchers have determined that prior to death many of the mummies showed evidence of various ailments and illnesses, some of them endemic among families.

The concept for the exhibition began in 2004 with the German Mummy Project’s rediscovery of 20 specimens within the Reiss-Engelhorn Museums of Mannheim, Germany. A consortium of mummy researchers used DNA analysis, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), CT, radiocarbon dating and mass spectrometry to learn more, and engaged the cooperation of 21 world-renowned museums, organizations and collections in seven countries to make this innovative exhibition possible.

“Mummies of the World will engross visitors in both the science that brings history to life as well as the history that science reveals,” said John Mackay, president and CEO of Discovery Place, Inc. “This stunning collection has so much to teach us about people and cultures that once thrived. Discovery Place is honored to offer such an exciting, unique and educational experience to the region.”

Mummies of the World will be on exhibition from November 11, 2011 through April 8, 2012. Tickets are now on sale and reservations are highly recommended. Mummies of the World is a timed-entry exhibition, so before making a purchase, visitors will be asked to select the date and time of their visit.

Visitors may purchase tickets:
1. Via phone at (704) 372-6261 x300. Callers can purchase tickets to the exhibition with a credit card during regular Museum hours and may pick them up at Discovery Place Admissions prior to or on the day of their visit.
2. In person at Discovery Place. Visitors can purchase tickets at Discovery Place Admissions in the Museum during regular Museum hours.

Admission to Mummies of the World is $24 for adults; $18.00 for children ages 2-13; and, $20 for students with ID and seniors ages 60+. All tickets include full-day admission to Discovery Place. Group and Member discounts are available. Children age 12 and under must be accompanied by a responsible adult while in Discovery Place.

For more information about Mummies of the World visit: discoveryplace.org or www.mummiesoftheworld.com.

About Discovery Place

One of the top hands-on science museums in the nation, Discovery Place provides ever-changing, entertaining facilities that engage the public in the active exploration of science and nature. More than a half-million people from all over the United States visit Discovery Place, its IMAX® Dome Theatre and Charlotte Nature Museum each year. In June 2010, the Museum completed an 18-month, $31.6 million renovation, resulting in a completely transformed and re-imagined experience with all-new interactive exhibits. Discovery Place is supported, in part, with operating support from the Arts & Science Council.

Discovery Place is located in uptown Charlotte at 301 N. Tryon Street. Convenient parking is available in the Museum’s parking deck – the Carol Grotnes Belk Complex – at the corner of Sixth and Church Streets. For more information about Discovery Place call (704) 372-6261 or visit discoveryplace.org or connect with Discovery Place on Facebook, Twitter, and YouTube..

About American Exhibitions
American Exhibitions, Inc. produces world-class touring exhibitions for science centers and museums that excite, educate and engage visitors. As a longstanding member of the Association of Science-Technology Centers (ASTC) and the American Association of Museums (AAM), American Exhibitions, Inc. is one of the leading exhibit producers in the United States. www.americanexhibitions.com.

About Reiss-Engelhorn Museums
Reiss-Engelhorn Museums, an internationally acclaimed complex in Mannheim, Germany, has been one of the major venues for exhibitions in Europe in the realms of archeology and world cultures. With a collection that began in the early 1700s, the museum houses more than 1.2 million objects in its collection, comprising over 300,000 square feet of exhibition space. www.rem-mannheim.de/.
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