There is much yet to be discovered.

According to Zahi Hawass, the Egyptian director of antiquities, only about 30 percent of Egypt's buried ancient past has been discovered. The work is still going on, much of it under Hawass' direction and with his participation.

In a lecture accompanying the opening of the Nevada Museum of Art's current "To Live Forever: Egyptian Treasures from the Brooklyn Museum," he claimed to be close to finding the tomb of Cleopatra and Mark Antony, the actual burial chamber of the Great Pyramid (he doesn't think the one so designated is the real one), and more royal tombs in the Valley of the Kings.

"I used to be the most famous movie star in Egypt," says Omar Sharif in a film that Hawass shows, "but now it's Dr. Zahi Hawass."

Familiar from multiple specials on National Geographic and Discovery, among others, Hawass spoke to a large crowd, not only promoting his ongoing archaeological pursuits but also Egypt itself, inviting people once again to visit and praising its people for their protection of the Cairo Museum during the protests ("only 31 objects lost").

The title of the museum's exhibition, "To Live Forever," captures a great deal of the allure of Egyptology. The elaborate preparations of the ancient Egyptians to face death and overcome it are what have made the country the center of archaeological exploration for the past few centuries. Death was an enemy that could be overcome through the construction of tombs, the incantation of ritual and the preservation of the body.

On display are more than 100 artifacts, including mummies, sarcophagi, coffins, jewelry, statuary, carvings and vessels. There are no big attractions – no royal mummies, golden headdresses, or elaborately carved thrones – but there is an excellent overall view of what it was all about – to what lengths these people, through 3,000 years, multiple dynasties and occupations – went to in order to assure everlasting life.

Clearly, the richer the ancient Egyptian, the bigger chance of eternal life. Dying was cheap, but preparation was not. Two mummy cartonages, the upper heads, stand side by side in a display case, one elaborately painted and decorated, the other homely and of poor artistic quality, but both demonstrating strongly the belief that all was not over.

Several exhibits show the transience even of intransience: Sarcophagi and mummy cases could be reused after scratching out the name of the original occupant.

The exhibit, like Hawass' lecture, is a tribute to Egypt past and Egypt present. Much of the explanatory text is projected onto hanging fabric, which creates a tentlike feel and separates different segments. Some of the text is written by science fiction author Bruce Sterling, and an 80-foot mural depicts a possible future for this rapidly changing country.

"To Live Forever" is permeated with death, of course, but also with hope. Nary a coffin or article is without fervency to change inevitable decay into prosperous continuity. There is a carved relief where prayers are offered up to deities of the netherworld; statues of the gods, like one of Osiris, are meant as tribute and objects of honor; little carved figures called shabties were meant to be magical and come to life in the tomb to serve its occupant; and a relief depicts a swamp scene, abundant with life and assuring food during the long wait for eternal life.

According to Hawass, satellite images reveal 123 additional pyramids to be unearthed. An excavation he supervised in the Valley of the Kings went down more than 500 feet, through tunnels and over 100 stairs, to find only a dead end in what he assumes was the original tomb meant for Seti I before an early death brought its construction to an end and allowed son Ramses II to build another.

A visit to any cemetery proves that we all would like to be remembered. People today want to be buried next to their loved ones, some with favorite items, even cars. It's not difficult to relate to Demetriu Harawa, a man mummified during the Roman period. His face is painted at the head of his still-wrapped mummy, and an X-ray of the body shows he had gallstones.

The exhibit offers voice tours via cellphone, including one aimed at younger visitors. There also is a series of accompanying talks, including one by Edward Bleiberg, curator of Egyptian, Classical, and Ancient Middle Eastern Art at the Brooklyn Museum, at 6 p.m. Thursday ($15). Guided tours are provided for free on Thursdays at 6 p.m. (except Aug. 4) and daily Wednesdays through Sundays at 1 p.m.

To Live Forever: Egyptian Treasures from the Brooklyn Museum

When: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Wednesdays-Sundays through Sept. 4

Where: Nevada Museum of Art, 160 West Liberty St., Reno

Cost: $10 general, $8 seniors and students, $1 children 6-12; free on Aug. 13

Information: (775) 329-3333 or nevadaart.org

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