Press Releases

New museum exhibition hits 100,000 visitors

Staff at National Museum Cardiff welcomed their 100,000th visitor to the site's new archaeological exhibition today (26 September 2008), just over nine months after it opened.

Origins: in search of early Wales, which follows the story of the first humans 230,000 years ago to the end of the Middle Ages, was officially launched on 8 December 2007. And less than a year since it opened its doors, 100,000 people have enjoyed the exhibition, which provokes a deeper understanding of our origins.

A high proportion of those who've visited National Museum Cardiff since last December - 36% of a total of 279,134 people - have been to see Origins: in search of early Wales. Richard Brewer, Keeper of Archaeology at Amgueddfa Cymru is delighted with the news:

"This is a real achievement for us as a department and for the Museum. Origins makes archaeology more relevant to our visitors. People want to know who our ancestors were, how different they were from us and what has changed through time. All of these elements help us understand who we are."

The exhibition spotlights the rich archaeological collections and their stories. Elements change regularly: the current temporary display is Archery (on until 7 December 2008) which looks at archers and archery from prehistory to the Middle Ages.

Entry to National Museum Cardiff and the exhibition is free, thanks to the support of the Welsh Assembly Government.

Amgueddfa Cymru - National Museum Wales administers seven national museums across Wales. They are National Museum Cardiff; St Fagans: National History Museum; the National Roman Legion Museum; Big Pit: National Coal Museum; the National Wool Museum; the National Slate Museum and the National Waterfront Museum.

- Ends - For further information please contact Catrin Mears, Communications Officer, Amgueddfa Cymru - National Museum Wales on (029) 2057 3185 or email catrin.mears@museumwales.ac.uk.