RAMSES II -- Expo 86

The Great Hall of Ramses II was a unique structure inspired by the famous rock temples of Abu simbel. Visitors entered the pavilion by passing through a row of graceful columns. Inside, visitors found themselves in a dark, cavernous maze of dimly lit rooms and tunnels as if they had stumbled upon an ancient unlooted tomb. To keep the experience as realistic as possible, there were no written descriptions on the walls. Instead, visitors were given a headset which was linked to receive audio broadcasts from each exhibit. Audio descriptions were available in several languages.

This informative exhibition offered a glimpse of one of ancient Egypt's most influencial rulers. Ramses' reign from 1290 to 1224 BC was the second longest in Egyptian history.

More than 80 precious objects included a workman's limestone level, a bone and ebony Senet game, the world's first known water clock and an array of monumental statues.

There were critics who questioned what ancient treasures had to do with a World's fair on transportation and communication, but most people accepted the exhibit as a once in a lifetime chance to see artifacts dating back over 3000 years. After all, isn't art a form of communication? Doesn't archaeology unveil long forgotten stories from the past? Regardless how people saw it, the Great Hall of Ramses became so popular it was one of the few pavilions that offered (free) time-stamped tickets at the gate to avoid long line ups. The early morning dash from the West Gate to the Ramses ticket booth became a daily ritual and was eventually nicknamed "The Ramses 500."

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