VICTORIA, BC.- A visit to the Royal BC Museum (RBCM) in the spring and summer of 2009 will be a journey through the evolution of civilization across hundreds of thousands of years and all parts of the globe. Treasures: The World’s Cultures from the British Museum, which makes its North American premiere at the RBCM, May 1 – Sept. 30, 2009, highlights cultural achievements – the artistic, ceremonial, decorative and functional. It illustrates how cultures have come together – and come apart – through the ages. And it brings together more than 300 artifacts dating from prehistoric times to today.

“This exhibition explores nations and civilizations that have shaped our world for one and a half million years,” said RBCM CEO Pauline Rafferty at an event this morning to announce the exhibition. “This is the second time the Royal BC Museum has collaborated with the British Museum. Four years ago, we presented Eternal Egypt, which remains one of our most popular exhibitions ever.”

A number of local and provincial dignitaries attended this morning’s announcement. “The Royal BC Museum is both a cherished part of our cultural heritage and an important economic driver,” said Minister Ida Chong at the event. “It adds richness to our lives and significant economic impact to our communities.”

Treasures: The World’s Cultures from the British Museum arrives at the Royal BC Museum on the heels of a highly successful, nine-city tour of Japan, Korea and China. It brings together some of the most celebrated objects from the British Museum’s renowned collection – from the oldest-known artifacts made by human hands to monumental antiquities from ancient Greece and Rome to provocative contemporary art from around the world.

“This exhibition provides a wonderful opportunity to see some of the great treasures from the British Museumʹs collection,” said Neil MacGregor, Director of the British Museum. “Visitors will be able to experience the world in one gallery.”

To complement the collection of artifacts, which are arranged by geography and chronology into seven sections, the Royal BC Museum will weave into the exhibition hands‐on activities, interactive technology and a storytelling program to give visitors a glimpse into the lives of the people who created these objects.

The Royal BC Museum, a provincial crown corporation, collects, preserves and interprets artifacts, specimens and documents that tell the story of British Columbia. As the provincial museum and archives, the RBCM proudly shares that story with the world through its research, exhibitions, collections and public programs.