This weekend we took the Curious Kids to the California Science Center for the traveling Cleopatra exhibition. Although there were no mummies, the show was still a big hit, primarily because Finley got a King Tut crown.
The exhibit boasts the largest collection of artifacts from the Cleopatra era ever assembled in the U.S. Many of the pieces were recovered from the sea near Alexandria, Cleopatra’s capital city. Over hundreds of years the temples and treasures washed out to sea, a result of earthquakes, a tsunami and other natural forces. Underwater archaeology teams, led by Franck Goddio, have only discovered the ruins in the last couple of decades.
Another major portion of the exhibit discusses the search for Cleopatra’s tomb led by archaeologist Zahi Hawass. Hawass and his team now believe Cleopatra and Mark Antony may be buried in the temple of Taposiris Magna west of Alexandria. His team has not yet recovered a mummy.
If you are in the Southern California area, the exhibit runs through Dec. 31st. It’s a wonderful opportunity to inspire a budding archaeologist.
You can learn more about Cleopatra, ancient Alexandria and the temple:
- Educator’s guide to the Cleopatra Exhibit.
- Smithsonian Magazine’s article, Raising Alexandria, from 2007
- Video about Cleopatra’s supposed tomb at temple of Taposiris Magna
Kirsten W. Larson 
Your son looks so cute! That must have been awesome!
I am not sure how much he got out of the exhibit…except his crown. He and his brother did enjoy investigating the technology the Egyptians used to build pyramids.
I’m obsessed with Cleopatra and that exhibit sounds amazing.
I don’t know if we are the last stop on the tour or not. It might come to a venue near you.
This sounds like a great exhibit!
We are lucky to get so many exhibits in our area. I guess that’s one of the bonuses of living near a big city.