This news is a little bit older, but since the news has been rather sad and trying lately, how about a pick-me-up? The Archaeology News Network reports that the Archaeological Museum of Heraklion (Iraklio) on Krete, which hosts the world’s best collection of Minoan artefacts, reopened on Tuesday after more than seven years of repairs and refurbishment.

[Credit: Haniotika Nea]

The Heraklion Archaeological Museum, considered as the museum of Minoan culture
par excellence worldwide, is one of the largest and most important museums in Greece,
and among the most important museums in Europe. It will be open to visitors daily from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.

The museum closed in November 2006 for a revamp. Most pieces in the museum’s collection are examples of the island’s Minoan civilization, which thrived from around 2,700 to 1,450 BC, but exhibits date from the Neolithic period to Roman times.

For an overview of the collection and far more detailed background information, go here.