REVIEW: RAMSES AND THE PHARAOH’S GOLD: THE EXHIBITION

1 day ago
2 min read

Millennia old coffins, treasures and real mummies show the enduring legacy of Egypt’s greatest king, 3,000 years later

Long before Warhol, Brand Beckham and the Kardashians, was Egyptian superstar Pharaoh Ramses, the OG of self-PR, who ensured his legacy is still celebrated more than 3,000 years later.

The dazzling new Ramses and the Pharaohs' Gold exhibition has brought 180 priceless treasures to the UK for the first and only time, to illustrate the power, vision and enduring fame of Egypt’s greatest king.

The fascinating show is brimming with real coffins - including Ramses II’s intricate, cedar sarcophagus - real mummies, ancient royal treasures, sacred amulets, giant sculptures, statues and stone heads.

It’s made accessible for all ages - and attention levels - with head sets and multimedia scavenger hunts for younger guests, spooky VR tomb explorations led by the ghost of Ramses’ wife, Nefertiti; immersive storytelling and interactive experiences.

Tutankhamun’s name is bandied about more, because his tomb was discovered intact, although he achieved very little in his 18 year life.

Ramses, on the other hand, lived until he was 90, plastered his face on every conceivable surface and was celebrated for his extensive monument-building, military strategy, diplomacy, and bonkers brood of more than 100 children - he makes even Beyonce look lazy.

It’s extraordinary to be up close with millennia-old pieces, which have survived wars, the rise and fall of empires and Donald Trump.

Highlights include Ramses’ extraordinary coffin, the Limestone Colossus grand finale; the golden funerary masks of King Amanemope and General Wendjebauendjed - to help their souls find their way back to their bodies, if they weren’t looking their best - and extraordinary animal mummies, from lion cubs to cats, as well as strangely adorable crocodile coffins.

Modern technology helps to bring it to life, with impressive digital depictions of the Battle of Kadesh, and the VR experience at the end,

We are seated in comfy, futuristic golden egg chairs, which glide around once we don our headsets, as we float after Queen Nefarati’s spirit for a mooch around the iconic Temple of Abu Simbel.

Surprisingly, my young son loved the moments of peril - like being eaten by the flaming skull of the furious Pharaoh’s spirit. And we were impressed by how much he learnt about the story, from the VR section.

Although less spook-hungry children - like my daughter - might prefer to sit it out. Staff kindly gave her a book about our VR adventure - while we donned our goggles - for her to experience it in a less haunting way.

Ramses’ ultimate goal was to command an empire and spread his image via monuments and children to achieve immortality, by living on in people’s memories. After visiting this impressive show more than 3,000 years later, we can safely say that he achieved this.

NEON at Battersea Power Station, 2 Circus Rd E, Nine Elms, London SW11 8DQ. Tickets from £24.55/adult, £19.55/child over five