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Virtual Travel

A Smithsonian magazine special report

Take a Free Virtual Tour of Five Egyptian Heritage Sites

The sites include the 5,000-year-old tomb of Meresankh III, the Red Monastery and the Mosque-Madrassa of Sultan Barquq

Theresa Machemer

Correspondent

Earlier this month, Egypt’s Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities announced the release of five new virtual tours of historic sites, adding to the range of online adventures that you can now embark on from home.

The tours explore the tomb of Meresankh III , the tomb of Menna , the Ben Ezra Synagogue , the Red Monastery and the Mosque-Madrassa of Sultan Barquq . Each virtual experience features detailed 3-D imagery through which users can “walk” by clicking hotspots along the structures’ floors.

As James Stewart reports for the Guardian , the tours boast “beefed up” 3-D modeling made by experts with Harvard University’s Giza Project . Unlike their real counterparts, most of which charge a small entry fee, the virtual renderings are free to all.

“The virtual tours target both [international] tourists and Egyptians, a ministry spokesperson tells Al-Monitor ’s Amira Sayed Ahmed. “They serve the double purpose of promoting Egyptian tourism nationwide and increasing Egyptians' awareness of their own civilization.”

Two of the tours—the tombs of Meresankh III and elite Egyptian official Menna —include background information accessible by clicking circles overlaid atop specific features. The former’s tomb, dated to some 5,000 years ago, is the oldest of the Egyptian sites available as a virtual walkthrough. Meresankh, a queen wed to King Khafre, was the daughter of Prince Kawab and Hetepheres II of the fourth dynasty, and the granddaughter of Great Pyramid builder Cheops, also known as Khufu.

Harvard archaeologist George Andrew Reisner discovered the queen’s tomb in 1927. He later stated that “None of us had ever seen anything like it.” Today, the burial place’s paintings and carvings remain well-preserved, showcasing hunters catching water birds, bakers making triangular loaves of bread and servants holding offerings.

In the northern chamber, along the wall furthest from the virtual tour’s starting point, ten statues of women stand shoulder to shoulder—an unusual sight among Gaza tombs. The statues “serve to emphasize Meresankh’s position among her queenly relatives,” the tour explains. Along the path to the 16-foot-deep burial shaft, users pass a pair of statues depicting Meresankh and her mother, Hetepheres II, with their arms around each other.

The path leads down a spiraling staircase into the burial shaft, where Meresankh’s black granite sarcophagus—originally created for her mother but re-engraved upon the queen’s death in 2532 B.C., according to the History Blog —was originally found. The tour includes a reconstructed image of the chamber with the sarcophagus in place, but the actual coffin is now kept at the Egyptian Antiquities Museum in Cairo.

The tomb of Menna, dated to the 18th dynasty (about 1549 B.C to 1292 B.C.), is “one of the most visited and best preserved” from the era, the ministry writes in a statement quoted by Live Science ’s Laura Geggel. The tomb’s decorations suggest the elite official was a scribe in charge of the pharaoh’s fields and the temple of sun god Amun-Re.

Menna’s tomb also includes informational blurbs highlighting such features as paintings of the scribe’s family, including his wife Henuttawy and their five children. Curiously, all of the paintings of Menna have been defaced.

“The ancient Egyptians believed that the soul of a person inhabited paintings of them and destroying the face would ‘deactivate’ the image,” the tour notes. “Why would someone want to destroy the memory of Menna?”

The tomb also served as a point of communication with the dead. It once featured life-size statues of Menna and Henuttawy that family members could make offerings to, ask for favors or visit during festivals.

The other three tours do not offer information blurbs at this time, but they still have plenty of detailed 3-D imagery for virtual visitors to explore. The Red Monastery , a Coptic church in Upper Egypt, features ornate frescoes, while the 14th-century Mosque-Madrassa is known for its immense size and innovative architecture. The Ben Ezra Synagogue in Old Cairo is alleged to be the site where baby Moses was found.

“Experience Egypt from home,” says the Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities on Facebook . “Stay home. Stay safe.”

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Theresa Machemer | READ MORE

Theresa Machemer is a freelance writer based in Washington DC. Her work has also appeared in National Geographic and SciShow. Website: tkmach.com

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The Mastaba Tomb of Queen Mersankh III (G 7530-7540)

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• A Virtual Tour through the Tutankhamun Colle...

A Virtual Tour through the Tutankhamun Collection at the Egyptian Museum

Today we take you on an exclusive tour to see the iconic mask of the Golden Pharaoh, Tutankhamun, in the Egyptian Museum in Tahrir.

Tutankhamun has captivated audiences worldwide since British archaeologist Howard Carter discovered his tomb back in 1922. He has become an international icon of our Egyptian civilization.

Painstakingly excavated over the course of almost ten years, the tomb's four small rock-cut chambers hidden beneath the sands of the Valley of the Kings yielded over 5,000 incredible objects, bearing witness to the life and death of this king. The discovery of the tomb of Tutankhamun was the most spectacular discovery in the history of archeology.

Although a recent CT scan of Tutankhamun’s mummy has revealed interesting new information about the techniques in his mummification, and has confirmed that he was around 18 years old when he died, the cause of his death is still uncertain.

The treasures of the Golden Pharaoh were registered in the Egyptian Museum in Tahrir in 1934.

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The Global Egyptian Museum

At a rough estimate, over 2 million objects from ancient Egypt are kept in about 850 public collections, dispersed over 69 countries around the world. This website aims to collect them into a global virtual museum, which can be visited at any time, from any place. The Global Egyptian Museum is a long-term project, carried out under the aegis of the International Committee for Egyptology (CIPEG).

The Basic Mode, currently showcasing 1340 highlights, is geared to the interested public. A glossary of more than 400 items explains Egyptian terms and themes. Many objects are provided with audio comments and 3D-movies .

The Advanced Mode , equiped with a powerfull search and data entry engine, opens up the full database - presently 14975 objects - to professionals and amateurs.

Kids! offers information for children at the age of 8-12 years in an interactive way.

22 Awesome Egyptian Sites You Can Virtually Tour From Home

Updated: Jan 14

No question about it -- Egypt is just one of those bucket list countries , with sights that are impossible to fathom unless you see them for yourself. But as we all know, sometimes crossing something off your bucket list is easier said than done!

So whether you’re stuck at home with no travel plans in sight, or are just curious to see some of Egypt’s most famous historical, religious and cultural sites, Egypt’s Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities has done us all a solid and created 3D virtual tours where you can explore these mysterious, intriguing places for free from the comfort of your own home.

Local tip: if the virtual tour page says it's unable to load the first time, just refresh the page.

King Tut Hall

See the iconic King Tut burial mask in the Cairo Museum’s King Tut Hall, alongside his golden coffins and other treasures from his tomb in the Valley of the Kings.

King Tut Hall virtual tour link .

Museum of Islamic Art

This art museum in Cairo holds over 100,000 pieces of Islamic heritage from not only Egypt but also Arab and non-Arab countries alike.

Many of the pieces were gathered from the first Islamic capitals of Egypt (Fustat and Askar), prior to the rise of Cairo. Pieces were also selected from the Delta, Fayoum, Luxor and Aswan .

Museum of Islamic Art virtual tour link .

Abu Serga Church

The Abu Serga church in Coptic Cairo is believed to be built on the spot where the Holy Family (Joseph, Mary, and infant Jesus Christ) stopped and rested towards the end of their journey to Egypt. The spot is now the crypt of the church, 10 meters deep.

Abu Serga virtul tour link .

The mastaba tomb of the ancient Egyptian official Ti in the Saqqara necropolis outside of Cairo. Ti's tomb is known for its wall depictions of daily life in the Old Kingdom, including scenes of farming, boat-building and poultry-fattening.

Tomb of Ti virtual tour link .

Manasterly Palace & Nile Meter

The palace of Hassan Fouad Al Manasterly Pasha, the governor of Cairo in 1854 AD, located on the Nile River island of Al Rawda in Cairo. On the grounds is also a Nilometer built in 1861 AD, to measure the Nile during the annual floods.

Manasterly Palace and Nilometer virtual tour link .

Niankh-Khnum and Khnumhotep Tomb

An unusual ‘double tomb’ mastaba in the Saqqara necropolis. It’s not common to find a tomb for two people, so it’s theorized that these two men were brothers, and perhaps twins (one theory is that they were actually conjoined twins).

Niankh-Khnum and Khnumhotelp's tomb virtual tour link .

Mohammed Ali Pasha Mosque

Mohammed Ali Mosque in the Cairo Citadel is one of Cairo’s landmarks and dominates the Eastern skyline, both during the day and then at night when it’s lit up. It was commissioned by Mohammed Ali Pasha, an Ottoman Albanian military commander who became Khedive of Egypt.

Mohamed Ali Mosque virtual tour link .

The Step Pyramid Complex of Djoser - Colonnade

The entrance colonnade to the pyramid complex of Djoser. The oldest Egyptian pyramid to date , ‘The Step Pyramid’ is thought of as the initial prototype for the later smooth-sided pyramids. The colonnade is 20 pairs of columns with 24 small chambers between each, which are thought maybe to represent the nomes of Upper and Lower Egypt, and may have once held statues of the pharaoh or the gods.

Step Pyramid Colonnade virtual tour link here .

Gayer-Andersen Museum

The Gayer-Andersen Museum is found in a beautiful historical house in Old Cairo, built in 1631. It’s a great remnant of Islamic architecture at the time.

The house belonged to several different wealthy families over the years, but gained its name during its stint as home of British officer Gayer Andersen in 1935. He amassed a stunning collection of art, furniture, carpets and Egyptian handicrafts that remain in the house until present day.

Gayer-Andersen virtual tour link .

Unas Pyramid

The smallest remaining pyramid of the Old Kingdom, but notable due to the discovery of the ‘Pyramids Texts’ inscribed inside on its walls. The Pyramids Texts were funerary texts and spells for the pharaoh’s afterlife, which would later become the basis of the Book of the Dead.

Unas Pyramid virtual tour link .

Al-Fath Mosque

The Royal Al-Fath Mosque is annexed to Abdeen Palace in Cairo, built in the 19th century in an Ottoman style similar to the mosque of Mohammed Ali Pasha.

The Al-Fath Mosque virtual tour link .

Tomb of Menna

Menna was an ancient Egyptian official, and his tomb is one of the most colorful and best-preserved in Thebes (modern-day Luxor).

Tomb of Menna virtual tour link .

Red Monastery

This 1,400 year old Coptic Orthodox church in Sohag was once one of Byzantine Egypt’s most beautiful monasteries. It was in ruins for decades, but was recently restored to its former glory.

Red Monastery virtual tour link .

Mosque-Madrassa of Sultan Barquq

The mosque-madrassa of Al Zaher Barquq (also known as the Sultan Barquq mosque) is a medieval religious complex in the Moez street area in Old Cairo, adjacent to Khan el Khalili (for our full Khan el Khalili guide, head here ). It’s comprised of a mosque, madrassa, mausoleum and khanqah (a building for Sufi spiritual retreat).

Mosque-Madrassa of Sultan Barquq virtual tour link .

Tomb of Queen Meresankh III

Meresankh III was the granddaughter of Khufu (the pharaoh who built the Great Pyramid), and is believed to be the wife of either Khafre or Menkaure (the pharaohs of the other two Pyramids of Giza). One of the most beloved features of her mastaba tomb is the ten large statues of women that are carved out of the northern wall, thought to represent Meresankh III, her mother and her daughters.

Tomb of Meresankh III virtual tour link .

Ben Ezra Synagogue

Originally a Coptic Church established in 882 AD, Abraham Ben Ezra from Jerusalem bought the church and converted it to a synagogue. It’s believed to be the spot where the baby Moses was found.

The synagogue went through a series of renovations over the centuries, with the current structure dating back to 1892. It’s built in the style of a basilica, with two floors: the first floor dedicated to men, and the 2nd dedicated to women. It now functions as a museum.

Ben Ezra Synagogue virtual tour link .

A necropolis dedicated to ancient military leaders and provincial rulers, today found in the modern city of Minya in Upper Egypt. There are about 39 tombs dating back to the Middle Kingdom (2050 BC to 1710 BC).

Beni Hasan virtual tour link .

Catacombs of Kom el Shoqafa

These catacombs in Alexandria are a rare mix of Egyptian, Greek and Roman architecture and monuments and are considered one of the Seven Wonders of the Middle Ages.

Catacombs of Kom el Shoqafa virtual tour link .

Tomb of Ramses VI

Also known as KV9, this tomb (originally built by Ramses V but used by Ramses VI) is one of the best-preserved in the Valley of the Kings in Luxor.

Tomb of Ramses VI virtual tour link .

Coptic Museum

Known as the best place to learn about Coptic history in Egypt, this museum hosts over 1,600 pieces, dating back to the early days of Coptic Christianity in the 3rd and 4th century AD.

This museum is known for its Bibles written in the 11th and 13th centuries in both Arabic and the Coptic language on deerskin, as well as Christian writings on papyrus dating back to the 6th century.

Coptic Museum virtual tour link .

Tomb of Wahty

Recently discovered in 2018, Wahty (also spelled Wahtye) was an Old Kingdom priest and royal official, and his 4,400 year old tomb was found mainly intact in the Saqqara necropolis.

Tomb of Wahty virtual tour link .

Tomb of Mehu

Not far from the Pyramid of Unas in Saqqara is the Old Kingdom mastaba tomb of Mehu, a royal vizier.

Tomb of Mehu virtual tour link .

You may also like: Ancient Egypt Bucket List: 20 Must-See Ancient Egyptian Sites

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Early Egypt

Visitor observing a decorated jar in Room 64. © The Trustees of the British Museum

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Explore the beginnings of ancient Egyptian civilisation, which developed along the Nile from about 11000 BC.

The annual flooding of the Nile created fertile land ideal for growing crops. Rapid advances in technology and social organisation during the fifth millennium BC produced a material culture of increasing sophistication.

Toward the end of the Predynastic period, (about 3300 BC), regional rulers began competing for power and territory. This conflict ultimately led to the unification of Egypt under one king at about 3100 BC.

The strong central control and increase in wealth led to dramatic achievements in architecture, writing and fine goods, culminating in the building of the Great Pyramids of Giza in about 2600 BC.

Take a virtual tour

Go for a digital walk around  Room 64  to see objects from Early Egyptian life. Can you find five 10 animal-themed objects?

Gallery facts

• Much of early Egypt was populated by small farming communities living along the Nile Valley.
• Powerful city states such as Hierakonpolis and Abydos in the south played a significant role in defining a distinct Predynastic culture, which laid the foundations for the later pharaonic state.
• King Narmer was the most famous king credited with the unification of Upper and Lower Egypt.
• The first royal tombs were built in the Upper Egyptian desert at Abydos, 56 miles (90km) north of Luxor.
• Funerals at this point of Egyptian history were simple and didn't involve mummification, a practice that began about 2500 BC.
• Egyptians hieroglyphs were invented about 3200 BC, in the first place for the purpose of administration, and were in use for almost 4,000 years.

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Early Egypt timeline

About 8000 BC

The Predynastic period

About 4000 BC

The Predynastic period – the Naqada I period

About 3200 BC

The Predynastic period – the Naqada IIIA2 period

About 3100 BC

The Predynastic period – the Naqada IIIC1 period

About 3050 BC

The Early Dynastic period – the 1st Dynasty

About 2890 BC

The Early Dynastic period – the 2nd Dynasty

About 2750 BC

The Early Dynastic period – the 3rd Dynasty

About 2580–2560 BC

The Old Kingdom – the 4rd Dynasty

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Ramses & the Gold of the Pharaohs

Exclusive to the australian museum in sydney: more than 3,000 years in the making, discover over 180 ancient egyptian treasures..

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Special exhibition

Ancient egyptian treasures, vr experience.

Transport yourself back 3,300 years, across the sands of the Sahara Desert where you reach the heartbeat of Ancient Egypt ruled by the most celebrated pharaoh in the country's storied history. Experience one of the greatest collections of its kind in this Australian-first exhibition, Ramses & the Gold of the Pharaohs .

Discover ancient relics from Ramses the Great

This all-new multisensory museum experience provides visitors with a window into the life and accomplishments of Ramses II, more commonly known as Ramses the Great, who ruled Egypt for 67 years – the second longest reign for any pharaoh, living an astonishing 92 years. Exclusive to Sydney, Ramses & Gold of the Pharaohs features 182 priceless artefacts including the sarcophagus of Ramses II - one of the most impressive royal coffins from ancient Egypt ever to be discovered – and other treasures and one-of-a-kind relics, some of which have never left Egypt before. On this immersive journey visitors will discover a stunningly preserved collection of artefacts, including sarcophagi, animal mummified remains, magnificent jewellery, spectacular royal masks, exquisite amulets, and ornate golden treasures of the tomb, showcasing the superb workmanship of Egyptian artisans.

The exhibition also features a virtual reality experience that takes you on a whirlwind tour of two of Ramses' most impressive monuments: the temples of Abu Simbel and the Tomb of Queen Nefertari, the favourite Royal Consort of Pharaoh Ramses II. In cinematic motion chairs, viewers will fly through temples, sandstorms, and even come face-to-face with Ramses' mummified human remains in this electrifying animated journey. Purchase the VR experience during your Ramses & the Gold of the Pharaohs ticket purchase checkout as an add-on.

Visitors with low vision can also listen to our free audio described guide about exhibition here on our website .

This once-in-a-lifetime opportunity is both educational and exhilarating. Ramses & the Gold of the Pharaohs will give visitors an up-close look into the life, achievements, and stunning monuments of Ramses the Great.

The previous Ramses offer ended 18 April 2024, Memberships purchased after this date do not qualify for FREE tickets.

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Do not buy tickets from un-authorised re-sellers. You risk buying fraudulent or invalid tickets.

Can you buy tickets at the door?

Tickets will be available to buy at the door, but we encourage you to buy tickets online to ensure that you secure your preferred session time. It is expected that popular sessions will sell out.

From what age are children charged for entry?

Children three years and over will be charged entry to Ramses & the Gold of the Pharaohs .

What is a Golden Ticket?

Ramses & the Gold of the Pharoahs Golden Ticket allows you entry to any Peak or Off-Peak session from the 15 December 2023.

Inclusions:

• Entry to the exhibition at any time during opening hours
• Ticket includes Audio Guide
• One-time, single entry only
• Valid for sessions from 15 December 2023.

During particularly busy periods, a short wait may be required from arrival to exhibition entry due to fire and safety capacity regulations.

Please note: Golden Tickets are available for purchase online only and cannot be purchased onsite.

What are the Concession ticket price categories?

Concession cards must be shown upon admission to receive the reduced ticket prices:

• Seniors Card-holders (all states)
• International seniors aged over 60 years
• International Student Card-holders
• Australian Student Card-holders
• Centrelink Healthcare Card-holders
• Australian Government Pension Card-holders
• Australian Veterans' Affairs Card-holders.

What is the age limit for children’s tickets?

The age limit for children's tickets is 15 years and under.

What age is the exhibition aimed at?

The exhibition is for all ages. The Virtual Reality experience is recommended for ages 8 and over.

Is there pram access?

Prams are not allowed inside the Ramses exhibition space. There is limited, unsupervised pram parking available in designated areas within the museum and close to the exhibition entrance.

More information on the Australian Museum’s accessibility features can be found here .

Are food and drinks allowed?

Food and beverages are not permitted in our galleries or exhibition spaces to ensure the preservation of our important collections. This includes water bottles.

Are we able to take photographs?

Yes, except no flash photography is allowed and commercial photography is not permitted.

What does my ticket include/exclude?

Your ticket includes entry to Ramses & The Gold of the Pharaohs exhibition. General admission to the Australian Museum is free of charge.

Exhibition tickets do not include entry to the virtual reality experience, this must be purchased separately.

What is the virtual reality experience?

The exhibition will feature an immersive virtual reality experience that takes you on a whirlwind tour of two of Ramses' most impressive monuments: the temples of Abu Simbel and the Tomb of Queen Nefertari, the favourite Royal Consort of Pharaoh Ramses II. In cinematic motion chairs, viewers will fly through temples, sandstorms, and even come face-to-face with Ramses' mummified human remains in this electrifying animated journey.

What is the minimum age for the virtual reality experience?

The VR experience is recommended for ages 8 and over, but it is the parent's discretion as some children may find the experience scary.

Do I need a separate ticket for the virtual reality experience?

What time is my virtual reality experience.

Your ticket gives you access at any time of day, so you simply line up in the queue to participate.

Should I do the virtual reality experience before or after seeing the exhibition?

The virtual reality experience can be done before or after your visit to the exhibition. Wait times for the virtual reality experience may be long, so please consider this when planning your visit to the Museum.

How do I access the audio guide I purchased for the exhibition?

The day before your visit, you will be emailed a link to the audio tour. Please bring your smart device and headphones.

Alternatively, we have limited devices which can be borrowed.

What if I need to change my tickets?

In the case of sickness or unforeseen circumstances, tickets may be exchanged and rescheduled to a different date pending ticket availability. If a guest wishes to reschedule, it is recommended that guests contact Ticketmaster via the link https://help.ticketmaster.com.au/hc/en-au no less than two (2) weeks prior to their initial visit.

What is your refund policy?

All tickets, including the exhibition audio guide and virtual reality experience, are non-refundable.

By upgrading to a Secure Ticket, in the case of sickness or unforeseen circumstances, tickets may be exchanged or rescheduled subject to availability as stated in Ticketmaster's Secure Ticket Terms and Conditions .

To reschedule your ticket, please contact Ticketmaster no less than two (2) weeks prior to your planned visit.

How do I make an education or group booking?

For education or group bookings, please visit the Groups Booking page .

Session times – how long can we stay in the exhibition?

We recommend at least 60 minutes to experience the exhibition.

Why are the entry times every 15 minutes?

This is to ensure a continual flow of visitors and to minimise queues. You can stay in the exhibition as long as you like, but we recommend setting aside 60 minutes to be able to see everything.

Why can't I book when a session says it is 'available'?

Unfortunately, because sessions are selling out so fast and have strict capacity limits sometimes there were only a handful of slots left in a session – so it may say "available" but if your ticket order was for more than is available, then it won’t let you proceed.

When you go into a session, if it says “limited availability” at the top, that means there are less than ten slots left, most likely less than five. Due to current requirements, Ticketmaster is unable to process more than six people through one transaction – so if you need tickets for more than six, you will need to purchase them in a second transaction.

Can I buy souvenirs of my visit?

Visitors to the Ramses & the Gold of the Pharaohs exhibition gain exclusive access to the exhibition shop. The shop has a huge range of carefully-curated, exquisite ancient Egyptian-themed items to serve as a special reminder of your visit.

Please note: The exhibition shop does not accept cash.

ICOM Membership card holders

Unfortunately, ICOM Membership card holders do not receive free tickets to the Ramses & the Gold of the Pharaohs special exhibition.

Is it wheelchair friendly?

The exhibition is wheelchair accessible, with lift access.

Do you accept Companion Cards?

Yes, we do! Cardholders are admitted free with a fully paid ticket (concession or otherwise). Please call Ticketmaster’s Accessible Seating Line on 1300 446 925 to book your ticket and Companion Card admission.

Is there guidance for guests with sensory sensitivities?

The exhibition uses moving animation images, which may be disorienting for those who are light sensitive. The exhibition also contains several videos playing simultaneously and may be considered loud for those who are sensitive to noise.

The Museum offers autism and sensory-friendly mornings ( Early Birds ), which provide a reduced sensory, relaxed and supportive environment prior to the Museum opening to the public for the day. From 8am visitors will be able to buy tickets to see Ramses & the Gold of the Pharaohs , adjusted with 50% less capacity and volume turned down, where possible. The exhibition will be dimly lit.

Please note the exhibition sounds and full capacity will be restored by 10am with anticipated large and loud crowds from 9:30am.

What are parking and transport options?

Information on parking and public transport can be found here .

Is there an area to leave personal belongings?

Our cloaking room is located on Lower Ground (LG) and is open during business hours. The AM reserves the right to close the cloakroom without notice.

Please do not bring bags larger than A3 size, carry-on luggage, wheeled shopping carts, long umbrellas, scooters, balance bikes, tripods, selfie sticks or bulky items to the AM as you may be denied entry. For more information on prohibited items, please refer to our Terms of Entry.

Please ensure items are collected from the cloakroom ten minutes before closing.

See other exhibitions

The Australian Museum respects and acknowledges the Gadigal people as the First Peoples and Traditional Custodians of the land and waterways on which the Museum stands.

Image credit: gadigal yilimung (shield) made by Uncle Charles  Chicka  Madden

National Museum of Natural History Virtual Tours

Access the tours.

The Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History virtual tours allow visitors to take self-guided, room-by-room tours of select exhibits and areas within the museum from their desktop or mobile device. Visitors can also access select collections and research areas at our satellite support and research stations as well as past exhibits no longer on display.

Virtual Tour Tips

• To navigate between adjoining rooms in the tours, click on the blue arrow links on the floor or use the navigation map in the upper right of the presentation screen.
• Look for the camera icon which gives you a close-up view of a particular object or exhibit panel.
• Try zooming in as some of the images are stitched together from individual pictures in order to create very high resolution gigapixel images.

Please note: This tour and these presentations have been tested and should work on all common devices, browsers, and operating systems (using a desktop computer with Windows, Mac, Linux or a mobile device such as an iPhone, iPad, or Android). Functionality and appearance may vary as it will adjust automatically to accommodate the most visitors. While the virtual tour has no advertising, ad blocking software or browser settings that block JavaScript and/or XML may interfere with the functionality of the virtual tour. Please let us know what you think of the tour and how the experience can be improved. Send your feedback to the NMNH Web Team .

Site Credit: Imagery and coding by Loren Ybarrondo

Equipment Used: Professional Nikon digital single-lens reflex (DSLR) camera bodies and lenses. The photography is typically done using rectilinear lenses with minimized distortion and shooting equirectangular panoramas at 22K pixels on the long side.

Software Used: No authoring software is used. The tours are hand-coded in HTML5 and JavaScript using the krpano graphics library.

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