A collection known as the 'treasure of Morgantina', comprising 16 pieces of third century BC silverware, is on display at Palazzo Massimo alle Terme in Rome.
The collection includes bowls, plates and other dishes, which were found during illicit excavations near the Sicilian town of Aidone at the archaeological site of Morgantina.
They have been returned to Italy from New York's Metropolitan Museum of Art, where they have been on display since they were bought by the Met in 1984. The repatriation of the objects follows an agreement between the Italian ministry for Heritage and the Met in 2006.
The Morgantina treasure is considered to be some of the most note-worthy Greek silverware still in existence.
It was bought for $2.7 million in the early 1980s by antiquities dealer Robert Hecht, who is now on trial in Italy charged with conspiring to traffic illegal artefacts.
The 16 objects are made of gilded silver and include two large serving cups with feet in the form of theatrical masks, which would have been used to mix and serve wine with water, as well as other objects such as a jug and four decorated cups.
One the 4 June, the exhibition will move to the Archaeological Museum of Antonino Salinas in Palermo.
This Saturday marks the point at which the sun rises directly over the equator - the Spring Equinox. And while most of us will be wrapped up warm in bed at 5am, up to five thousand people will be braving the Wiltshire weather to welcome in the equinox at Stonehenge - including the Heritage Key Crew.
This Saturday marks the point at which the sun rises directly over the equator - the Spring Equinox. And while most of us will be wrapped up warm in bed at 5am, up to five thousand people will be braving the Wiltshire weather to welcome in the equinox at Stonehenge - including the Heritage Key Crew.
Submitted by Bija Knowles on Fri, 03/19/2010 - 13:36
Like many people, the offer of food is always enough to tempt me to visit somewhere new – and I suspect that the publicity machine of Pompeii's archaeological site are fully aware of this, as they promise an authentic Roman snack to the 300 randomly selected individuals who will take part in a one-off tour of the site this Sunday.
The event marks the restoration and re-opening of one of the Roman town's thermopolia (cafés), after having undergone an excavation and preservation process.
Submitted by Sean Williams on Thu, 03/18/2010 - 17:41
This Saturday sees Stonehenge's inner circle opened to the public on one of only four occasions a year, at the Spring Equinox. Around four thousand people are expected to turn up, braving the bitter British weather to celebrate at Britain's best-known ancient landmark.
View the wonders discovered in Tutankhamun's burial chamber up close, from the sarcophagi and the golden mask, to masterworks in calcite, jewels, and gold. Learn the details about each find through the interactive library. Zoom in on King Tut's greatest treasures in our online, virtual experience.
Meet modern day Druids and take part in a Solstice festival at this digital recreation of Stonehenge as it looks today. From there, start your virtual travels through time, and discover the history of Stonehenge in our 3D, online experience.
Attend an ancient Druid burial ritual and find the secret signs in the stones at Stonehenge 1500BC. Start your virtual travels through time, and discover the history of Stonehenge in our 3D, online experience.
