See Extraordinary World Treasures in Atlanta This Fall

PRNewswire/ -- Atlanta will soon celebrate the U.S. premiere for an all-new King Tut exhibition and the Southeast's debut of China's Terracotta Army. "Tutankhamun: The Golden King and the Great Pharaohs" (Nov. 15, 2008 - May 22, 2009 at the Atlanta Civic Center) and "The First Emperor: China's Terracotta Army" (Nov. 16, 2008 - April 19, 2009 at the High Museum of Art) will open almost simultaneously, making Atlanta the only place in the world where both exhibits can be seen at the same time.

To help visitors explore Atlanta's world of treasures without spending a fortune, a special "Treasures Fit for Kings" combination ticket will offer discounted admission to both exhibitions. The ticket also gives visitors access to other special exhibitions and to the permanent collection at the High Museum of Art.

The combination ticket prices are: Adult (Tues. - Thurs.), $39; Adult (Fri. - Sun.), $41; Youth (Tues. - Sun.), $25. These tickets and special hotel packages will be available online at Atlanta.net/treasures beginning Oct. 6. Discounted group tickets for both exhibitions can be reserved by calling 1.866.52GROUP.

The simultaneous run of these exhibitions gives visitors to Atlanta the opportunity to explore the treasures of two kings from two ancient cultures in one great city, creating a once-in-a-lifetime experience called "Treasures Fit for Kings."

According to Spurgeon Richardson, president and CEO of the Atlanta Convention & Visitors Bureau, "With the U.S. dollar down and vacation budgets tight, these two exhibitions in one location will provide world travelers the chance to experience the treasures of the world without a passport and with a price tag that's easy on the wallet."

Support for "Treasures Fit for Kings" is provided by Arts & Exhibitions International, ACVB, Brand Atlanta, the High Museum of Art and supported by a grant from the Georgia Tourism Foundation.

Tutankhamun: The Golden King and the Great Pharaohs

"Tutankhamun: The Golden King and the Great Pharaohs" is a new exhibition featuring more than 130 treasures from the tomb of the celebrated pharaoh King Tut and other ancient sites. Striking objects from some of the most important rulers throughout 2,000 years of ancient Egyptian history will be on view, spanning the 4th Dynasty into the Late Period (about 2600 B.C. - 660 B.C.), many of which have never before visited the United States.

The U.S. premiere at the Atlanta Civic Center will be presented by the Michael C. Carlos Museum of Emory University from November 15, 2008 to May 22, 2009. Carlos Museum members will have an advance opportunity to purchase discounted tickets to the Tutankhamun exhibition beginning on August 15. Details are available at carlos.emory.edu/join.

Through artifacts that showcase the legacies and splendor of the Egyptian pharaohs, viewers will get a sense of how life -- and art -- evolved over generations and under various rulers. The exhibition will include the largest image of King Tut ever found -- a 10-foot statue that originally may have stood at Tutankhamun's mortuary temple and retains much of its original paint. One of the four gold and precious-stone-inlaid canopic coffinettes that contained his mummified internal organs also will be exhibited.

"Tutankhamun: The Golden King and the Great Pharaohs" is organized by National Geographic, Arts and Exhibitions International and AEG Exhibitions, with cooperation from the Egyptian Supreme Council of Antiquities. Northern Trust is the presenting sponsor of the tour, and American Airlines is the official airline. More information is available at http://www.kingtut.org/.

The First Emperor: China's Terracotta Army

"The First Emperor: China's Terracotta Army," an exhibition inspired by one of the greatest archaeological discoveries of the 20th century, features 100 works, including 15 full terracotta figures. The exhibition represents one of the largest groups of important works relating to China's First Emperor ever to be loaned to the U.S. With rarely seen and recently discovered objects from his famed tomb complex, the exhibition will provide insight into the legacy of China's First Emperor, Qin Shihuangdi, who reigned from 221-210 B.C. He is best known for unifying the warring states of China and building the Great Wall. "The First Emperor" will be on view at the High Museum of Art from November 16, 2008 to April 19, 2009.

The life-sized terracotta figures populated the First Emperor's underground tomb complex, just as they would have been integral to the activities of his actual court. Close to 1,000 figures have been excavated from the tomb, and it is estimated that a total of 7,000 may ultimately be unearthed. No two terracotta figures are identical; all are individualized with a distinctive facial appearance. In addition to the terracotta figures, the exhibition also includes artifacts such as bronze weapons, stone armor, and coins.

"The First Emperor: China's Terracotta Army" is made possible by Lead Sponsor GE, Presenting Sponsor Portman, and Official Global Delivery Partner UPS, Official Airline Partner Delta Air Lines, and Official Media Partner Turner Broadcasting. Generous support is provided by The Henry Luce Foundation. Additional support provided by The E. Rhodes and Leona Carpenter Foundation and The Blakemore Foundation. This exhibition is presented in association with the British Museum with support from Morgan Stanley. More information is available at http://www.high.org/firstemperor.

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