CHICAGO, IL.- The Chicago Sun-Times' Michael Sneed reported Wednesday morning about an Egyptian bust that resembled Michael Jackson on display in Inside Ancient Egypt, which opened in 1988 at the Field Museum. This bust of an Egyptian woman is nearly 3,000 years old, yet the resemblance to the late King of Pop is uncanny. The bust has been a part of the Museum's collection since 1899 and was collected by Edward Ayer, who spearheaded the founding of the Museum.

The bust was made during the New Kingdom Period (1550 BCE to 1050 BCE) which is the same time period as King Tut and Ramses. According to the curator, 95% of Egyptian statues and busts were defiled by early Christians and Muslims because the statues were looked at as idolatry. Taking the nose off made them 'non-human' and less offensive.

The Field Museum’s permanent exhibition Inside Ancient Egypt is an elaborate and dramatic exhibition that tells the story of the mysterious world of the Egyptians. This dazzling exhibition, which opened in 1988, offers visitors the only opportunity outside Egypt to actually enter and explore the complete full-size Egyptian mastaba tomb of Unis-Ankh, son of the Pharaoh King Unis.

Visitors tour the upper levels of the mastaba tomb then descend through the 35-foot shaft to the burial chamber below. After exiting through the tomb robbers’ tunnel, visitors encounter compelling dioramas and scenes of this highly advanced yet mysterious culture. Along the way museumgoers will encounter nearly 30 human mummies and countless mummified animals.

The Egyptian collection of The Field Museum combines with a masterful presentation of Egyptian life in realistic settings to create a powerful and unforgettable experience. Here visitors actively engage with both objects and ideas: exploring a three-story Egyptian tomb, walking along a recreated stretch of the Nile River Valley, and sampling an ancient marketplace.