Quest for Treasures: Searching for Lost Empires

Quest for Treasures Peruvian Ceramic
Quest for Treasures Peruvian Ceramic

Exhibit Overview

The Quest for Treasures Exhibition brought together for the first time outstanding treasures collected by European explorers who went to dangerous and little known lands in Africa, South America, and the Middle East during the colonial period.  Visitors to the exhibition encountered not only these rare cultural artefacts, but also discovered what it was like for the adventurous individuals who went on these expeditions of discovery.

The exhibition traced the transition from curious and opportunistic collecting to the scientific recovery and study of significant artefacts giving visitors insight into the fascinating stories of how objects they see in museums came to be there.  Highlights of the exhibition included the gold of Ur, Peruvian mummies, and personal items belonging to the famous mystery writer, Agatha Christie.