Mummies of the World exhibit to open in LA

BOCA RATON, Fla., Feb. 18 (UPI) -- The debut of "Mummies of the World," billed as the largest traveling exhibition of mummies ever assembled, is to take place in Los Angeles, organizers said.

Featuring more than 150 objects and artifacts from around the globe, the show is to open July 1 at the California Science Center, American Exhibitions Inc. announced Wednesday.

"Unlike any exhibition in history, 'Mummies of the World' presents a never-before-seen collection of both accidental and intentionally preserved mummies, presented with reverence and dignity -- and for the first time allowing one to scientifically and historically delve into the past lives and rich history of the world's cultures," the company said in a news release.

"We are excited to launch 'Mummies of the World' in Los Angeles, a city that is lauded for its commitment to arts and culture," Marc Corwin, president of American Exhibitions Inc., said in a statement. "As witnessed in the phenomenal success of the King Tut exhibit at the Los Angeles County Museum of Art just five years ago, Southern California residents have an appetite for antiquities, which give us a glittering glimpse into the past."

The planned three-year tour is expected to visit museums and science centers in six other prominent cities in the United States after it finishes its run in Los Angeles.