Ancient treasures arrive

The famous Troy collection, dug out from the legendary city by Heinrich Schlieman, will be shown across Poland during the next year and half. The exhibits of the Museum of Prehistory and Early History in Berlin will be available in Warsaw from March 28. "The biggest attraction is the fact that we are showing the exhibits. The Berlin museum never lets them be shown outside its premises," The Archeological Museum's vice president Dr Wojciech Borkowski said. However, due to the  Berlin museum's relocation and the good relations between the two institutions, Warsaw's Archeological Museum managed to borrow the priceless collection.

The main attraction of the collection is the famous Priam's Treasure, which consists of hundreds of gold and silver jewels, but which in fact comes from a period 300-400 years before the events described by Homer. Some of the original pieces are still in the possession of Russia, after the Soviet army claimed them in 1945, and have been replaced with 19th century replicas. "They also have historical value," Borkowski said.

Apart from the royal treasures, the collection includes vases and pots from the bronze age, ceramics, idols and statues of Trojan gods, and of course swords and weapons. "Perhaps even the swords that Hector or Achilles fought with," Borkowski hypothesizes.

He hopes that the successful undertaking by the six Polish archeological museums will open new possibilities for the future. Alone, Polish museums can't bear the costs of hosting exhibitions such as the Schlieman collection, the cost of which Borkowski estimates at between zł.250,000-300,000. But he hopes that together, by organizing tours across all museums, they will be able to bring the world's biggest treasures to Poland.

"Perhaps one day we will be able to show the mummy of Tutankhamen from the British Museum," Borkowski said.