San Francisco is gearing up for an international touring exhibition focusing on ancient Egyptian history, featuring 130 artifacts loaned from the Egyptian Museum in Cairo and the Luxor Museum. The U.S. premiere of Treasures of the Pharaohs will take place from August 1, 2026, to January 31, 2027 at SF’s de Young Museum.
The exhibition will explore the reigns of the pharaohs, who governed as military leaders and chief priests between 3100 BC and the Roman invasion in 30 BC.
Society and Spirituality
Dr. Tarek El Awady, former director of the Egyptian Museum, curated the international tour of Treasures of the Pharaohs. The presentation is divided into six sections detailing government, social hierarchy, and spiritual practices.
Attendees will view objects belonging to the royal family, high-ranking officials, and artisans. The installation will also examine the daily routines of the civilization through jewelry, cosmetics, tools, and furniture.
Specific pieces on display will include the gilded outer coffin of Thuya, a gold and lapis lazuli pendant belonging to Amenemope, and an armchair crafted for Princess Sitamun.
For the first time in North America, the exhibition will display items from the Golden City. Also known as the Dazzling Aten, this workers’ community operated during the reign of Amenhotep III, approximately 1390 to 1352 BC. His successor, Akhenaten, later abandoned the settlement to establish a new royal seat in Amarna. Archaeologists recently rediscovered the preserved streets and workshops in 2021.
The final section of the tour will focus on mortality and the elaborate mummification processes developed by the civilization to prepare bodies for the afterlife.
Admission and Tour Schedule
Tickets for the San Francisco presentation at the de Young Museum will become available to museum members on June 17, 2026, before public sales begin on July 1, 2026.
Following its California run, the collection will travel to the Kimbell Art Museum in Fort Worth, where it will remain on view from March 14, 2027, through September 19, 2027.
Read more about Treasure of the Pharaohs at the Fine Arts Museums of San Francisco website.
