COLUMBIA - The Columbia Museum of Art has unveiled a new and permanent installation of its ancient art collection.

The world of the ancient Romans is represented by 2nd century glass and bronze items and portrait sculpture. Many of these works have not been seen since the museum moved to its location on Main Street in 1998. The collection has grown over the last several years with the donation of 12 fine Roman sculptures in 2002 from Pennsylvania collector Dr. Robert Y. Turner.

The oldest objects in the gallery, circa 12th - 7th century B.C., are cuneiform clay tablets - the oldest form of writing - developed in the region of Sumer in southern Mesopotamia. Ancient terracotta and paint votive objects include the Horseman and Horse, circa 7th century B.C. from Cyprus, and Statuette of a Woman wearing a Pomegranate Necklace from the Greek Archaic Period, circa 580-550 B.C.

Objects from Ancient Palestine include an earthenware storage vessel and bowl, circa 17th - 16th century B.C. from the Middle Bronze Age, and a dipper juglet and pitcher, circa 1300- 1220 B.C. from the Early Iron Age.