Mesopotamian artefacts on display in Abu Dhabi
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A new exhibition showcasing artefacts from the Mesopotamian era has gone on display in Abu Dhabi.An initiative of Tourism Development & Investment Company (TDIC), the company behind the development of Saadiyat Cultural District, the Splendours of Mesopotamia exhibition covers the period from 3000 BCE and the three great centres of Mesopotamian civilisation: Sumer, Assyria and Babylon.This exhibition presents more than 200 ancient treasures from the British Museum’s iconic Middle East collections, as well as objects from the Al Ain National Museum and is the first of three exhibitions organised in Abu Dhabi in anticipation of the Zayed National Museum opening.Commenting on the opening of the exhibition, HE Sheikh Sultan bin Tahnoon Al Nahyan, Chairman of TDIC said “Splendours of Mesopotamia celebrates the origins of the region, the history of Abu Dhabi and the significant advancements made in the Mesopotamian era. It is also one of many efforts in Abu Dhabi to prepare for the opening of the Saadiyat Cultural District museums”. “Sheikh Zayed emphasised the importance of the values and heritage of his people and put tradition at the heart of the UAE’s political and cultural life. He was also instrumental in the discovery of the major archaeological sites in the United Arab Emirates that fundamentally rewrote the history of the region and its connections with the wider world, including ancient Mesopotamia,” he said.In conjunction with the opening of the exhibition, TDIC has organised a strong public programme including a series of lectures held by internationally renowned speakers such as Neil MacGregor, director of the British Museum.Highlights of the public programme include a lecture series with discussions such as The Discovery of Mesopotamia, when John Curtis, keeper of the Middle East Department at the British Museum, will speak about how Mesopotamia was revealed to the world in the 19th and early 20th centuries. Curator of the exhibition, Nigel Tallis, will explain how Ancient Mesopotamia was the world’s first truly urban society in the lecture titled Splendours of Mesopotamia: Sumer, Assyria and Babylon. Whilst in the panel The National Museum: A Symbolic Identity?, three of the world’s museum elite will explore how a national museum stands as a symbol for the nation-state and the accomplishments of humanity.As well as workshops and educational tours, the exhibition will invite visitors to attend a number of engaging talks relating to the Mesopotamian era. These will include an insight into the World’s Oldest Writing as well as a presentation on how Mesopotamia was the land of the first laws, given by the professor of History at New York’s Columbia University.Splendours of Mesopotamia is complimentary and will be on display at Manarat Al Saadiyat until 27 June.
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