Ancient Treasures of Basilicata Unveiled at the Acropolis Museum

The Acropolis Museum proudly presents its latest exhibition, The Ancient Civilizations of Basilicata: Treasures Emerging into Light, on display in the museum’s temporary exhibition gallery until January 26, 2025. This showcase is the culmination of years of scholarly work dedicated to uncovering and preserving the cultural heritage of Basilicata, a region in southern Italy.

Located alongside the neighboring regions of Campania (to the west), Apulia (to the north), and Calabria (to the south), Basilicata forms part of Magna Graecia—Greek colonies established during the beginning of the Archaic period (800 BCE) by settlers from the Peloponnese and the Greek islands. These colonies blossomed into thriving economic and cultural hubs.

“The Ancient Civilizations of Basilicata: Treasures Emerging into Light”, Acropolis Museum/ Konstantinos Arvanitakis.

The exhibition highlights the hidden treasures of this region, focusing on the civilizations that Greek settlers encountered on their journeys to the southern Italian coast, as well as the cultural evolution shaped by their subsequent interactions with the local population.

“The Ancient Civilizations of Basilicata: Treasures Emerging into Light”, Acropolis Museum/ Konstantinos Arvanitakis.

Over 300 Artifacts from Ancient Necropolises

At the heart of the exhibition are over 300 artifacts, among which, grave goods unearthed from important necropolises, including both male and predominantly female burials. These objects, along with accompanying scholarly analysis, reveal the wealth and prominent status of the individuals to whom they belonged. They also offer fascinating insights into the social structures, beliefs, customs, and traditions of the ancient communities of the region.

“The Ancient Civilizations of Basilicata: Treasures Emerging into Light”, Acropolis Museum/ Konstantinos Arvanitakis.

The items on display span from the late Bronze Age (11th century BCE) to the 6th century BCE and come from the esteemed collections of the National Archaeological Museum of Siritide, the National Archaeological Museum of Metapontum, and the National Museums of Matera. Many of these treasures had been stored away for years, rendering them “invisible” to the public—until now.

“The Ancient Civilizations of Basilicata: Treasures Emerging into Light”, Acropolis Museum/ Konstantinos Arvanitakis.

A Collaborative Effort Across Borders

This exhibition is the result of a close collaboration between the Acropolis Museum, the Embassy of Italy in Greece, and the Italian Cultural Institute of Athens. Admission is free and visitors must collect a free admission ticket from the Museum’s ticket desk.

Curated by Massimo Osanna, Director General of Museums at the Italian Ministry of Culture, and Annamaria Mauro, Director General of the National Museums of Matera, the exhibition was inaugurated on October 17 in the presence of the Greek Minister of Culture, Lina Mendoni.