One of the highlights of Titanic: The Artifact Exhibition—indeed, one of the highlights of the entire Las Vegas Strip—is The Big Piece, a “small” section recovered from the wreckage of the fated vessel, so massive that it nearly stretches end to end in one of the exhibit’s larger rooms. It still has most of its rivets, not to mention segments of the glass coverings over the portholes. It truly brings the weight of the experience those hundreds of unfortunate souls endured into stark focus, and thanks to a team led by conservationist Joseph Sembrat, it’s guaranteed to be around to affect generations for a long, long time.

Once the piece was recovered in the ’90s, it spent much time on the road as part of a touring exhibition. That led to exposure to elements that required multiple conservation efforts over the years in Boston, Virginia and Houston. But in the late 2000s it found a permanent home at Luxor, and Sembrat said the desert is almost the “perfect” environment for its long-term preservation.

“It was nice to see that it’s in such good condition,” said Sembrat as his team methodically dusted the piece in late July, applying tannic acid and waxing it with carnauba. “It was the best thing for it to stay here and not travel around. We didn’t see any signs of salts coming out or any real new corrosion or anything like that.”

As The Big Piece endures, so does the popularity of the Titanic legend and the Luxor exhibition, which immerses visitors in the history, detail and lives of everyone on the maiden voyage that ended with an iceberg collision. You’ll see the size of the beds (and cabins) passengers slept in, recovered items like silverware, shaving kits and money, and an elaborate re-creation of the famous staircase (the only part of the exhibit you are allowed to touch), where you can channel your inner Leo and Kate.

As powerful as The Big Piece is, it’s the summation of all the details—big and small—that give Titanic: The Artifact Exhibition its real power.

Luxor, 702.262.4400

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