Dinner with King Tut

What does history taste like? How about the smell? Sound and touch?

Experimental archeologists have gone rouge and immersed themselves fulling into the material landscape of a time long ago. Sam Kean's latest book, , tells about his time learning with this team of innovative researchers across the globe to uncover what life was really like for our ancient ancestors. From firing medieval catapults, trying his hand at ancient surgery and tattooing, to building Roman-style roads, this is sure to be an exciting tale of history’s often neglected tastes, textures, sounds, and smells that were an intimate part of our ancestors’ lives.

As a courtesy to our speaker, our door policy stipulates that all guests must arrive before 7pm.

Sam Kean is a New York Times bestselling science author. His books include Dinner with King Tut, The Icepick Surgeon, and The Disappearing Spoon. His stories have appeared in The New Yorker, The Atlantic Monthly, and the New York Times, and his work has been featured on NPR’s "Radiolab," "Science Friday," and "Fresh Air." His podcast, , debuted at #1 on the iTunes charts for science podcasts.

This lecture is part of our Science and Society speaker series, which explores the history of science embedded in our everyday lives. We invite scientists, historians, policymakers, and educators for engaging, in-depth conversations that expand our perspectives. Program formats include lectures, interviews, roundtables, and book launches. Science and Society events are curated for an adult audience, fostering curiosity, conversation, and interactivity. Each evening concludes with a free reception with the speakers.

Event Venue & Nearby Stays

Science History Institute, 315 Chestnut Street, Philadelphia, United States