Ancient world springs alive at expanded UM museum

ANN ARBOR, Mich. (AP) - Long-hidden art and artifacts from the ancient Mediterranean will see the light for the first time in years as the University of Michigan dedicates its newly expanded Kelsey Museum of Archaeology.

A celebration from 2-5 p.m. Sunday marks the opening of a 20,000-square-foot addition to the museum.

An $8.5 million gift from the late Edwin and Mary Meader made the project possible.

The university says the museum holds more than 100,000 ancient artifacts. Many are materials excavated from Egypt, Turkey and elsewhere in the Middle East in the 1920s and '30s.

Items include art, toys, burial items, pottery and jewelry.

The school says the extra space in the new wing allows more of the museum's collection to be displayed.