Las Vegas Weekly

Tomb Raider: The Faux Pharoah

Can you tell if this is fake?

The real thing–does it even matter anymore? Especially here in Las Vegas, where simulacra and imitation-everything are the new true. The question arises (again) as a new permanent exhibit called The Treasures of Egypt opens this week at the Las Vegas Natural History Museum, showcasing nearly 500 artifacts, including the tomb of the young Pharaoh Tutankhamun.

The truth about this Egyptiana: It’s all repro: $3 million worth of dummy mummies and faux pharaohs.

Now located in the museum’s new 4,000-square-foot Egyptian Pavilion expansion, the replicas were formerly on display in the King Tut Museum & Tomb inside the Luxor, and were donated by MGM Mirage.

Ancient or made-to-order, authentic or artificial, Egyptian stuff is eternally fun and fascinating, and with its chariots, sarcophagi, a recreated village and marketplace, and an interactive mummy-scan, Treasures is assured of many curse-free nights — and days — at the museum