Examples of Iberian, Greek, Roman, and Visigoth objects in the Museu d'Arqueologia de Catalunya in Barcelona.

1. Treasures from Barcelona’s
Museu d'Arqueologia de Catalunya

2. • This sample of Iberian writing
from the Greek ruins of
Empúries is similar to my favorite
example from Ullastret.
• The Iberians and the Greeks
were regular trading partners.

3. • The museum reproduces the earliest
inscription yet found in the Iberian
alphabet. Like the Rosetta Stone, it is
famous enough to have its own
name: the “Signari d’Espanca.”
• On top we see the inscription itself.
Below we see the letters more
clearly.
• The inscription consists of the 27
letters of the Iberian alphabet,
chiseled or scratched in alphabetical
order -- twice. This was clearly done
as a writing exercise.

4. This beautiful mosaic
came from a Roman
villa in El Masnou,
on the Mediterranean
coastline northeast of
Barcelona.

5. A horn-shaped ritual headdress

6. • The only thing missing
from the museum is a
gift shop.
• I would love to have a
copy of one of these
necklaces!

7. • These are pages from the
research journal kept by the
archaeologist who
discovered the statue of
Asklepíeion, the Greek god
of medicine, at Empúries.
• Can you imagine how excited
he (or she) was?

8. • This adorable Greek ceramic
dolphin dates from the
fourth century BCE.
• It was found in a necropolis
on Ibiza.
• More information here.

9. Some awesome Iberian objects
(click each for more info)
Gilded silver platter with wolf’s head Ceramic vase

10. The Visigoth “Tresor de Torredonjimeno”
• The dangling letters (six of which are shown here)
form the names of two saints: Iuste and Rufine.
• More info on museum website.

11. The obligatory plug for my book
• Use order code PQ101 for a 35% discount on
Bloomsbury.com (here’s a link)
• Also on Amazon.com
• Check out the rave reviews on either site!