The National Archeological Museum in Athens is putting more than 1,100 pieces from the collection on permanent exhibition, as more of its halls open to the public following years of renovation. The previous Egyptian display, shelved six years ago, included just 350 artifacts. Most of the current collection - which museum officials say is one of the best in the world - has never been shown to the public before due to lack of space.

Egypt’s most prominent archaeologist, Zahi Hawass, called yesterday on the descendants of the British aristocrat who found Tutankhamun’s tomb to return the remnants of his collection to Cairo.