This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/entertainment-arts-20508195
The article has changed 2 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
Previous version
1
Next version
Version 0 | Version 1 |
---|---|
British Museum lends ancient 'bill of rights' cylinder to US | British Museum lends ancient 'bill of rights' cylinder to US |
(about 7 hours later) | |
One of the British Museum's most iconic objects, the Cyrus Cylinder, will tour five major museums in the US next year. | One of the British Museum's most iconic objects, the Cyrus Cylinder, will tour five major museums in the US next year. |
The cylinder, often referred to as the first bill of human rights, "must be shared as widely as possible", said museum director Neil MacGregor. | The cylinder, often referred to as the first bill of human rights, "must be shared as widely as possible", said museum director Neil MacGregor. |
It is inscribed with the earliest form of writing - Babylonian cuneiform. | |
The cylinder has never been taken to the US before and will tour Washington DC in March, going on to Houston, New York, San Francisco and Los Angeles. | The cylinder has never been taken to the US before and will tour Washington DC in March, going on to Houston, New York, San Francisco and Los Angeles. |
The inscriptions were made on the clay artefact on the orders of the Persian King Cyrus the Great after he captured Babylon in 539BC. | The inscriptions were made on the clay artefact on the orders of the Persian King Cyrus the Great after he captured Babylon in 539BC. |
The inscription appears to encourage freedom of worship throughout the Persian Empire and to allow deported people to return to their homelands, according to the museum. | The inscription appears to encourage freedom of worship throughout the Persian Empire and to allow deported people to return to their homelands, according to the museum. |
The artefact was found in Babylon, in modern Iraq, in 1879 during a British Museum excavation and has been on display ever since. | The artefact was found in Babylon, in modern Iraq, in 1879 during a British Museum excavation and has been on display ever since. |
'Speak across time and space' | 'Speak across time and space' |
Seen as a symbol of tolerance and respect for different peoples and different faiths, a copy of the cylinder is on display in the United Nations building in New York. | Seen as a symbol of tolerance and respect for different peoples and different faiths, a copy of the cylinder is on display in the United Nations building in New York. |
Alireza Rastegar, chairman of the board of trustees of Iran Heritage Foundation America, said: "The Cyrus Cylinder and its message of respect for diversity and universal human rights carries a timely message about tolerance for all of us today." | Alireza Rastegar, chairman of the board of trustees of Iran Heritage Foundation America, said: "The Cyrus Cylinder and its message of respect for diversity and universal human rights carries a timely message about tolerance for all of us today." |
MacGregor added: "Objects are uniquely able to speak across time and space... I am delighted that it will travel to the US and am hugely grateful to both our US partners and the Iran Heritage Foundation for making this possible." | MacGregor added: "Objects are uniquely able to speak across time and space... I am delighted that it will travel to the US and am hugely grateful to both our US partners and the Iran Heritage Foundation for making this possible." |
The exhibition, called, Cyrus Cylinder in Ancient Persia, will feature 16 objects and will showcase innovations under Persian rule in the Ancient Near East between 550 BC and 331 BC. | The exhibition, called, Cyrus Cylinder in Ancient Persia, will feature 16 objects and will showcase innovations under Persian rule in the Ancient Near East between 550 BC and 331 BC. |
Hosts include Smithsonian's Arthur M Sackler Gallery in Washington DC, the Museum of Fine Arts in Houston, the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York, the Asian Art Museum in San Francisco and the J Paul Getty Museum in Los Angeles, where the tour will culminate in October 2013. | Hosts include Smithsonian's Arthur M Sackler Gallery in Washington DC, the Museum of Fine Arts in Houston, the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York, the Asian Art Museum in San Francisco and the J Paul Getty Museum in Los Angeles, where the tour will culminate in October 2013. |
The cylinder was previously lent by the museum to the National Museum of Iran in 2010 - 2011, where it was seen by more than one million people. | The cylinder was previously lent by the museum to the National Museum of Iran in 2010 - 2011, where it was seen by more than one million people. |
Previous version
1
Next version