As the National Museum of China prepares to receive Egypt's pharaohs and their treasures, the Millennium Art Museum in southwestern Beijing is playing host to Italy's Etruscans.

The exhibition, which runs until February 28 of next year at the China Millennium Monument, features 349 relics of the pre-Roman period from the 9th to 2nd century BC.

As the largest exhibition from Italy to be shown in China, it attracted more than 2,000 visitors a day when held in Shanghai from September to November.

It is co-hosted in Beijing by the Millennium Art Museum, the archaeology and cultural heritage administration of Tuscany, Italy, and the Italian cultural centre.

The gold, bronze, ivory, stone and earthen armour, weapons, living utensils, women's accessories and building components on show represent the glory of the Etruscans, who dominated Italy for centuries.

Centred in Tuscany, northern Italy, the Etruscans introduced alphabetics, writing, urban construction and irrigation techniques from classical Greece and the East and provided the foundation for the brilliance of classical Rome.

"Their torch of civilization has shed light on the Western world for a long time," said Shan Yueying, curator of the exhibition with the Millennium Art Museum.

The Etruscans were shrouded in mystery for 2 millennia after they were conquered by the Romans and their writings ceased.

But in the past two decades archaeological findings have uncovered the world of the ancient people.

The most amazing exhibits on show are the women's accessories. The rings, earrings, necklaces and perfume bottles, in the shape of animals, nudes, fish, grapes, warriors and other designs, are delicately embedded with tiny drops of gold.

Exhibition Details:

Venue: The Millennium Art Museum

Dates: December 3, 2003 - February 28, 2004

Time: 8:30 AM - 5:00 PM

Ticket Price: 40 yuan

(China Daily December 3, 2003)