Integration Story: RFID Protects Tut's Treasures

By Claire Swedberg RFID Journal Magazine

Traveling exhibits manager Arts and Exhibition International is using RFID technology to protect the treasure of King Tutankhamun's tomb as the artifacts are displayed at locations across the world. The system, provided by U.K. RFID technology company Integrated Security Information Systems (ISIS), is traveling with the "Tutankhamun: The Golden King and the Great Pharaohs" exhibit, currently being set up in Indianapolis. If display cases are tampered with while on display, video images from a CCTV system provided by Bosch Security Systems are instantly displayed in the museum's security office, museum staff members can receive alerts on their pagers and an audible alarm inside the gallery warns the perpetrator that the system has been triggered.

Starting in 1996, ISIS has provided RFID-based tracking systems for corporations, government departments, and, in 2000, for museums, galleries and private collectors to protect valuable artwork and artifacts. For the past nine years, the company has been using Wavetrend 433 MHz active RFID tags in a variety of form factors. The tags contain built-in vibration sensors and magnetic tamper switches to determine if an object has been touched or moved, and to detect if a display case has been opened. Its users include the National Gallery in London, Museum of Modern Art in New York and the Museum of Islamic Art in Doha, Qatar.