Ancient Macedonian treasures on show in Oxford

• 10 Feb 2011

The Ashmolean Museum in Oxford will exhibit more than 500 gold, silver and bronze treasures this summer – the first time they have been on display outside Greece.

This is the first major archaeological exhibition in the museum’s new galleries. The treasures were found recently in the royal burial tombs and the palace of Aegae, the ancient capital of Macedon.

They help re-write the history of early Greece and tell the story of the royal court and the kings and queens who governed Macedon, from the mythical descendants of Heracles to the ruling dynasty of Alexander the Great.

Dr Christopher Brown, the Ashmolean’s director, says: ‘It is a tremendous honour for the Ashmolean to be the first place where people can see the latest discoveries from Aegae.’

The excavation of the tombs and palace was the life’s work of archaeologist Professor Manolis Andronikos, who worked at Aegae (modern-day Vergina) for more than 30 years after the Second World War. The exhibition has been organised by the Ashmolean Museum and the Museum of the Royal Tombs at Aegae in collaboration with the Hellenic Ministry of Culture And Tourism.

The Ashmolean is open Tue–Sun (and Bank Holiday Mons) 10am–6pm, admission free. Heracles To Alexander The Great: Treasures from the Royal Capital of Macedon runs from 7 April to 29 August, admission £8, concessions £6.

Ashmolean Museum, University of Oxford, Beaumont Street, Oxford OX1 2PH
Tel: +44 1865 278002
Website: www.ashmolean.org

Press contact: Susie Gault
Tel: +44 1865 288298
Email: susie.gault@ashmus.ox.ac.uk 

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