British Museum Artefacts on Display in Beijing

Some of world's most important cultural artefacts, 272 pieces from the British Museum in London, have been on display at Beijing's Capital Museum since March 18.

 

The Treasures of the World's Cultures exhibit includes pieces from the world's ancient civilizations, but instead of having to travel to London to see them, audiences need only head to the museum on Fuxingmenwai Dajie.

 

The world's oldest tool (from Africa), a 3,000-year-old mummy, ancient Egyptian tablets; Greek busts and Roman sculptures are among the treasures on show, but no artefacts from the British Museum's China collection are included in the exhibition.

 

Guo Xiaoling, curator of the Capital Museum, said, "We learn about the outside world in order to understand ourselves better.

 

"Chinese civilization is the only civilization, of all the ancient civilizations, that originated approximately from 4,000 to 2,000 BC, travelling in one continuous line. A nation with such vitality will definitely have a beautiful future," Guo said.

 

Five lectures on world history have been arranged during the exhibition. Neil MacGregor, director of the British Museum, gave the first lecture, entitled "Around the World in 20 Objects," after the opening ceremony.

 

The British Museum is planning to hold more exhibitions in China in the years ahead in conjunction with the Palace Museum and the National Museum of China. It is also thinking of showing Chinese treasures in Britain, according to Jane Portal, assistant keeper of the British Museum.