Acropolis Museum Inaugurates New Underground Exhibition Hall

The Acropolis Museum in Athens recently inaugurated an new innovative exhibition hall on its premises, which will host rare exhibits and artifacts from the residents of the ancient city.

Named ‘The Excavation Museum’, the hall is located at the archaeological site beneath the museum’s main building and hosts 1,150 artifacts out of the thousands left behind by people who lived there for more than 4,500 years.

The Excavation Museum opened its doors to the public on June 26.

A ‘Museum under the Museum’

Speaking during the inauguration, Culture Minster Lina Mendoni referred to the new exhibition hall as a “museum under the museum”

“The new museum significantly enhances visitors’ understanding and appreciation of the material remains and the history of an entire neighborhood in ancient Athens,” the culture minster said.

The museum includes a 35-meter showcase – described as a ‘bright crack in time’ by Acropolis Museum Director Nikos Stabolidis – which brings to life objects that reflect all aspects of everyday life from that era. Cooking utensils, toys, voting objects, and beauty items are just some of the exhibits on display.

Additionally, visitors will see religious artifacts, such as statues and objects used in ceremonies. These masterpieces reveal the profound influence of other religions on the ancient Greek cult, with the main influences coming from Egyptian religion.

Starting in autumn, all the exhibits of the Excavation Museum will be available online, complete with detailed descriptions of their histories.