Golden City artifacts debut in US at San Francisco's de Young Museum
Over 100 objects from the Egyptian Museum in Cairo and Luxor Museum will be displayed at the de Young Museum in San Francisco starting August 1, 2026, in the exhibition 'Treasures of the Pharaohs.' Curated by former EMC director Tarek El Awady, the show spans 3,000 years and includes 20 artifacts from the Golden City, a 14th-century BC settlement discovered in 2021 on Luxor's west bank. The city, associated with Amenhotep III, offers insights into daily life of workers, with items like a limestone headrest and a baby's rattle. Renée Dreyfus, curator of the San Francisco edition, highlights two pieces illustrating religious shifts: a statue of the Triad of Mycerinus and a carving of Akhenaten worshipping Aten. The exhibition runs until January 31, 2027, then travels to the Kimbell Art Museum in Fort Worth from March 14 to September 19, 2027.
Key facts
- Exhibition 'Treasures of the Pharaohs' opens at de Young Museum, San Francisco on August 1, 2026.
- More than 100 objects from Egyptian Museum in Cairo and Luxor Museum are featured.
- Curated by former EMC director Tarek El Awady.
- 20 artifacts from the Golden City are displayed for the first time in North America.
- Golden City dates from 14th century BC and was uncovered in 2021.
- Amenhotep III ruled circa 1390–1352 BC and was likely King Tut's grandfather.
- Renée Dreyfus is the curator of the San Francisco edition.
- Exhibition runs until January 31, 2027 at de Young, then at Kimbell Art Museum from March 14 to September 19, 2027.
Entities
Artists
- Tarek El Awady
- Renée Dreyfus
- Amenhotep III
- Akhenaten
- Menkaure
- Hathor
Institutions
- Egyptian Museum in Cairo
- Luxor Museum
- de Young Museum
- Kimbell Art Museum
Locations
- San Francisco
- Fort Worth
- Luxor
- Amarna
- Egypt
- United States