SOME of the more unusual treasures gathered over a museum’s 175-year history have been dusted down and put on public display.

For Treasures from the Attic, archaeology experts have rummaged through the archives of the Old Fulling Mill Museum, in Durham, to bring out ancient wonders that have rarely been seen in public.

Priceless items dating back more than 4,000 years, some not exhibited for decades, are included.

Inscribed seals from Mesopotamia, rare pots and figures from Chinese tombs and 2,500-year-old vases from Greece are among the highlights.

Old Fulling Mill museum is one of the most photographed buildings in the North-East and sits on the banks of the River Wear, below Durham Cathedral.

It was opened in 1833, a year after the founding of Durham University, and was only the second university museum in the country to open to the public.

Many of its treasures were brought back to Durham from far corners of the world by Victorian explorers and adventurers.

Some are thought to have been with the museum since it was founded.

Curator Craig Barclay said: “Treasures from the Attic is a celebration of the university’s archaeological collections.

“Over the years, the university has collected in order to support its teaching activities and also in order to develop its museums.

“Durham has a very fine museum tradition. One of the first things the university agreed when it was founded was that it needed a museum.”

In the 175 years that have followed, the collections have been stored at a number of sites around the city, including the university library on Palace Green.

However, they are now back on the original museum site, in The Banks.

Mr Barclay, who has been at Old Fulling Mill for four years, said: “We were quite conscious that we had many treasures literally in our attic. We felt it would be nice to move them into the living room.”

Young visitors to the exhibition can have a go at their own archaeological dig, searching through sand for real Roman pottery.

Treasures from the Attic is open now and will run until the end of January.

For opening times and admission charges, call 0191-334-1823.