Cairo, Egypt — An exhibit of more than 130 artifacts from the tomb of Tutankhamun and other sites of ancient Egypt will open on Nov. 15 at the Atlanta Civic Center and travel on to six other U.S. cities.

One of the world’s foremost Tut experts, Zahi Hawass, is secretary general of the Egyptian Supreme Council of Antiquities. Hawass will give a lecture at the Civic Center in March. Excerpts follow from a recent interview in his office in Cairo.

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ROBERT W. GEE/Cox Newspapers

Zahi Hawass, secretary general of the Egyptian Supreme Council of Antiquities, will give a lecture at the Atlanta Civic Center in March.

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Q: I understand you were instrumental in convincing the Egyptian government to allow the King Tut exhibit to travel outside the country?

HAWASS: King Tut was not supposed to travel at all. More than 30 years ago, 55 objects (from the tomb) were traveling in six cities in the States and Europe. … Then, when the exhibit came from the States to Germany, the scorpion on the head of Selket fell down and it was broken to pieces.

Q: This was in Germany?

HAWASS: Yes, Germany. The (Egyptian) parliament discussed this as a big issue and after that they decided King Tut artifacts do not travel outside of Egypt. (But) to preserve the Pharaonic and the Coptic and the Jewish and the Islamic monuments and the modern monuments of Egypt, I need big money. I found out that sending some artifacts from King Tut (to tour outside Egypt) can really be a benefit.

Q: How much money will the King Tut exhibits bring to Egypt?

HAWASS: $120 million. I want people not to think that the ticket is high. The ticket is about $20 to $30. … At least 60 percent of this money is going for the preservation of Egyptian monuments.

Q: Do you hope that 3,000-year-old artifacts might change opinions about modern-day Egyptians and the Middle East?

HAWASS: For me to go and give lectures. For Egyptians to go and talk about Islam. To talk about politics. For Americans to come and see us. For us to go and see America. This will change the whole thing. I want the Americans to know that we are not supporting terrorists. Islam is not a terrorist (religion) at all.

Q: King Tut was not the most powerful or famous pharaoh. Why does he hold such fascination among people around the world?

HAWASS: There are 63 tombs in the Valley of the Kings. This is the only tomb that was found intact. You know, Egypt has magic. I’m writing an article for a magazine about the mystery of the pharaohs. Egypt is the only civilization in the world that has magic and mystery. For example, I have a fan club on my Web site for children. I receive thousands of letters from American kids.

Q: I wanted to ask about the CT scan that you arranged for Tutankhamun.

HAWASS: We did CT scan the mummy for the first time (in 2005) and we found out that he was not murdered. The back of the head was opened in Dynasty XVIII to put in the liquid for mummification. But we found there is a fracture in the left leg. An accident happened to him one day before he died.

Q: So you were able to conclude he was not murdered. But can you say that definitively? Is there still a mystery?

HAWASS: It’s an accident. What kind of accident we don’t know.

Q: In the exhibit opening in Atlanta, which is your favorite piece or the most significant piece?

HAWASS: The exhibit is so unique. I wrote a book identifying the best objects and of course I chose the golden pieces of King Tut. But every object is really unique in this exhibit. And it has a story. This is why all these objects are near to my heart.