With over 26 million tourists visiting London each year, it’s probably fair to say that the UK capital receives a rich mix of people from all backgrounds and walks of life; young and old, and from far and wide, there certainly seems to be something that keeps people coming back, ensuring hotels in London are always in great demand.
Indeed, one of the biggest attractions in London at the moment, and perhaps in many a year, is the ‘Tutankhamun & the Golden Age of the Pharaohs’ exhibition, which marries one of the greatest archaeological discoveries of all time, with a long-standing British fascination with the ancient world of Egypt.
Countless archaeologists over the years have attempted to unearth the mysteries of a civilisation dating back five thousand years; as far as ancient civilisations go, few can compare with the scale, magnitude and splendour of ancient Egypt.
Moreover, this splendour can still be seen today in the form of the pyramids, with the Great Pyramid of Giza being the only one of the ‘seven wonders of the ancient world’ still in existence. But even this mighty structure perhaps can’t quite match the mystique and intrigue that was created with the discovery of Tutankhamun’s tomb in 1922.
Tutankhamun, or ‘King Tut’ as he has been affectionately nicknamed, was an Egyptian Pharaoh, ruling between 1333 BC and 1324 BC. Upon the discovery of his untouched tomb, an overnight sensation was created, with stories of rituals, riches and curses abounding, making a legend of an otherwise unremarkable king.
The artefacts and riches that accompanied King Tut’s mummified corpse were staggering, and the most famous artefact – the burial mask of Tutankhamun’s Mummy – has since become an iconic image, symbolising the mystique of ancient Egypt.
Furthermore, when the ‘Treasures of Tutankhamun’ tour came to London in 1972, 1.6 million visitors visited the exhibition and many queued for up to 8 hours just to catch a glimpse of the famous mummy and his hidden treasures.
And in 2008, London’s oldest visitor has returned to be greeted yet again by throngs of visitors from around the world, eager to experience the aura of one of ancient Egypt’s most famous rulers.
So, until the end of August 2008, the O2 Arena by Canary Wharf will be home to Tutankhamun and his priceless treasures, ensuring that many London hotels are teeming with budding Egyptologists, eager to visit the famous pharaoh.
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