Press Releases

Today (30 September 2008) two early medieval monuments from Amgueddfa Cymru - National Museum Wales' collections go on display in Paris, as part of a new exhibition at the Musée National du Moyen Âge (National Museum of the Middle Ages).

The exhibition, Celts and Scandinavians: Artistic Encounters 7th-12th centuries examines artistic developments in northern and western Europe. It looks at how art was used to communicate messages and ideas, through some of the most spectacular objects from the Celtic and Scandinavian countries.

The two Welsh exhibits - a late 5th or 6th century inscribed stone from Llangwyryfon, Ceredigion and a 10th century cross from Baglan, Neath Port Talbot - are two of the most important pieces of material evidence for early medieval Wales. They join a host of artefacts from Ireland, England, Scotland, Denmark, Sweden and Norway dating from the same period.

Dr Mark Redknap, Curator of Medieval and Later Archaeology, Amgueddfa Cymru - National Museum Wales responsible for curating the French loan, said:

"We are delighted to be able to contribute to this important exhibition, and to raise awareness abroad of one of the remarkable bodies of evidence surviving from early medieval Wales - objects that tell us about the period's languages, literacy, art and faith. We work in partnership with museums in Wales and further afield, sharing our expertise and collections so that a wider audience can enjoy the archaeology of Wales."

Admission to National Museum Cardiff is free thanks to the support of the Welsh Assembly Government.

Amgueddfa Cymru operates seven national museums across Wales. These are National Museum Cardiff, St Fagans: National History Museum, National Roman Legion Museum, Caerleon, Big Pit: National Coal Museum, Blaenafon, National Wool Museum, Dre-fach Felindre, National Slate Museum, Llanberis and the National Waterfront Museum, Swansea.

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For further information, please contact Catrin Mears, Communications Officer on 029 2057 3185/07920 027067 or email catrin.mears@museumwales.ac.uk.