ANCIENT MYSTERIES UNWRAPPED ON THE IMAX SCREEN

ANCIENT MYSTERIES UNWRAPPED ON THE IMAX SCREEN

December 19, 2008 — Gatineau, Quebec — On December 19, the Canadian Museum of Civilization IMAX Theatre will take viewers on a journey back thousands of years to the age of the great pharaohs to unravel some of the mysteries surrounding ancient royal mummies. Mummies: Secrets of the Pharaohs examines how mummies were embalmed; why mummification was so vital to ancient Egyptian life; and where they were hidden, and found.

Featuring breathtaking scenes of natural beauty, the film’s period recreations immerse viewers in different eras of Egyptian history. Mummies: Secrets of the Pharaohs brings to life the amazing 19th century Indiana Jones-type adventure that led to one of the most significant archaeological finds in modern history: the discovery of a cache of 40 royal mummies, including 12 Kings of Egypt, in a single tomb. Among them was one of the greatest pharaohs that ever lived, the legendary Ramses the Great.

Interwoven throughout the film’s historic narrative is a modern-day forensic story featuring Egyptologists Dr. Bob Brier and Dr. Zahi Hawass, and DNA scientist Dr. Angelique Corthals. The film embarks on a genetic analysis of mummies that could have huge implications on the study of modern human diseases. Perhaps the DNA held in mummies like Ramses will help cure people today.

Mummies: Secrets of the Pharaohs is directed by Keith Melton and filmed by renowned large-format cinematographer Reed Smoot. Together they capture sweeping images of the swirling desert sand dunes and dramatic rocky cliffs of the Northern Sahara and the real wonders of the world as only large-format film can.

Mummies: Secrets of the Pharaohs is presented in conjunction with the Museum’s new exhibition Tombs of Eternity: The Afterlife in Ancient Egypt*. From the tombs of Ancient Egypt comes the story of life, death and immortality. Ponder the eternal questions of humanity by exploring the wonders of this celebrated civilization through 200 exceptional artifacts entombed for millennia and now preserved in one of the world’s premiere collections of Egyptian antiquities.

Mummies: Secrets of the Pharaohs plays alternately with the water conservation film, Grand Canyon: River at risk.

For the film schedules, please visit www.historymuseum.ca/imax or call 819 776-7010

Tickets are on now sale at the Museum Box Office.

Individual prices: $10 adults, $8 seniors and students (with valid ID), $7 children 3 to12, $30 families

IMAX Club members receive unlimited access for one year

Media Information:

Chief, Media Relations