For

Immediate Release May 19, 2012

The Lost World of Old Europe: The Danube Valley, 50003500 BC

The Ashmolean cements status as world-class museum with spectacular limited engagement exhibit Extraordinary Neolithic artifacts once hidden from public view behind the Iron Curtain are on display from July 20 to November 15, 2012, at the Ashmolean Museum of Art and Archaeology, Britains oldest public museum. The Lost World of Old Europe: The Danube Valley, 50003500 BC exhibit showcases collections on loan from 20 museums across Romania and the Republics of Moldova and Bulgaria. Over 160 artifacts representing items recovered from Neolithic graves, towns, and villages during a formative time in human history will be installed for a limited time in the newly renovated Ancient World gallery. According to Alison Roberts, Curator of European and Early Prehistoric Collections at the Ashmolean Museum, The Lost World of Old Europe exhibit represents a cycle of related cultures that achieved a peak of complexity and creativity in what is now southeastern Europe between 5000 and 4000 BC, and then mysteriously collapsed and disappeared by 3500 BC. The public has an amazing opportunity to appreciate how humans lived in during the Neolithicor New Stone Ageperiod in the Danube Valley region, explains Agnes Valencak, Exhibitions Manager. The exhibit brings the imaginative art, mysterious goddess cults, and rare metal ornaments and copper weapons of Old Europeartifacts on par in their sophistication with those recovered from Ancient Egyptto modern European audiences. The Lost World of Old Europe exhibit will coincide with the Ashmolean Museums grand reopening. The Museum has undergone extensive renovations to its public spaces and storage facilities, financed by the campaign Oxford Thinking which raised 13 million pounds. Having been closed to the public for the past 15 months, the Ancient World gallery is expected to draw thousands of visitors from around the world, including those in London for the 2012 summer Olympic Games. Were thrilled to have been chosen as one of only three European museums to host this exhibit, says Director Christopher Brown. One of the main reasons were able to curate The Lost World of Old Europe is thanks to our new state- of-the-art facilities made possible through the Oxford Thinking campaign. Located on Beaumont Street, Oxford University main campus, the Museum is easily accessible by public transit and parking is available in the Queen Street public lot adjacent to Museum. Reduced-rate daily parking and transit passes can be purchased until July 31, 2012 along with admission tickets, but only when ordering online at the Museums website www.ashmolean.org. Admission Prices: Single Adult (20), Youth 13-18/Senior 65+ ( 10), Child 5-12 (8), Student with valid ID/Low Income (12), & Children under 5 (free). Hours of Operation: Monday to Friday 9 am 8 pm, Saturdays 10 am 6 pm, & Sundays/Statutory Holidays 12 5 pm.

Page 1 of 2

For general information, please contact +44 (0)1865 278002. Group and school tours may be booked through Ms. Janet Burchell, Bookings and Education Assistant, at +44 (0)1865 278015 or education.service@ashmus.ox.ac.uk. Scholars interested in accessing the collection for research purposes should forward a detailed request to John Gardiner, Research and Information Officer, at developmentoffice@ashmus.ox.ac.uk. The Ashmolean Museum of Art and Archaeology is committed to offering first-rate, affordable educational programming and world-class exhibits to the public. Its affiliation with Oxford University ensures exhibits are historically accurate and fosters ground-breaking scholarship. A non-profit institution, the Museum relies heavily on the Friends of the Ashmolean, its corporate partners, patrons, and the Ashmolean Fund to continue its mission and realize its objectives. -30- Media Information: Susie Gault, Press & PR Manager Press Office Ashmolean Museum of Art and Archaeology Oxford University Tel: +44 (0)1865 288298 Email: press.officer@ashmus.ox.ac.uk

Page 2 of 2