The Golden Age Of King Midas Exhibit At Penn Museum Feb 13 To Nov 27, 2016

‘The Story Behind The Golden Touch’

Get acquainted with The Golden Age Of King Midas Exhibit at Penn Museum February 13 to November 27, 2016!

King Midas lived in the prosperous city of Gordion, a site in what is now central Turkey, circa 750–700 BCE, ruling Phrygia and influencing the neighboring kingdoms. It certainly was a golden age at that time.

From Penn Museum:

Archaeologists from the Penn Museum (the University of Pennsylvania Museum of Archaeology and Anthropology) have been excavating at Gordion—and making international headlines with their discoveries—since 1950. The crossroads of many cultures over time, Gordion offers insight into thousands of years of history, but it is best known as the political and cultural capital of the Phrygians, a people who dominated much of what is now Turkey nearly 3,000 years ago.

The Myth of King Midas and his Golden Touch

Midas had everything a king could wish for. He lived in luxury in a great castle. He was a man who wished that everything he touched would turn into gold. However, he had not thought that this wish was not actually a blessing, but a curse.

There is an interactive “myth book” at the exhibit that invites guests to explore the stories, while artifacts and excavation discoveries detailed throughout the exhibition begin to reveal the man behind the myths.

For the full story of the Myth of King Midas and his golden touch, click here.

What Can Be Found at the King Midas Exhibit

• A spectacular tomb, referred to as Tumulus MM, for Midas Mound, was excavated by the Penn Museum in 1957. This was the largest of about 120 manmade mounds of earth, clay, and stone used to mark important burials at Gordion. The discovery of an intact royal tomb nearly 3,000 years old is highly unusual. A video experience lets visitors explore the tomb as if they were in the tomb itself when it was sealed nearly 3,000 years ago.

• Guests will see fragments—and remarkable watercolor recreations by renowned archaeological illustrator Piet De Jong—of the famous “Painted House” built about 500 BCE, and excavated in Gordion’s citadel during the 1950s.

This exclusive, world premiere exhibition developed by the Penn Museum in partnership with the Republic of Turkey is one not to be missed.

Location

3260 South St (University City)
Philadelphia, PA 19104

Dates

February 13 to November 27, 2016

Time

Monday  |  Closed
Tuesday – Sunday  |  10:00 am – 5:00 pm
First Wednesdays of Each Month  |  10:00 am – 8:00 pm
Closed Holidays

Cost

Adult  |  $20
Senior (65 & above)  |  $18
Child & Student with valid ID  |  $15
Military  |  $5
FREE  |  Museum members, children 5 & under, and PennCard holders (Penn faculty, staff, and students)
Click Here for Tickets
~ Admission to this special exhibit will allow you to explore the rest of the museum as well. ~

Phone

(215) 898-4000

Web Site

• The Golden Age of King Midas

• Penn Museum

All Photos by Tom Stanley Courtesy of Penn Museum