Crystal skulls, Indiana Jones outfit and Egyptian Mummies to go on display in Cardiff

A hoard of artefacts from both real-life archaeological excavations and reel world's famous fictional treasures will go on display at the National Museum Cardiff next year. The exhibition, titled Treasures: Adventures in Archaeology, celebrates 2016 that has been declared the Year of Adventure in Wales.

The exhibition, which will open to the public on 26 January, will host treasure gems from popular culture, including the outfit (whip, hat and jacket) worn by Harrison Ford while playing the fictional archaeologist in the Indiana Jones franchise directed by Steven Spielberg. Crystal skulls that featured in the last film of the adventure series, Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull in 2008, will also be on display.

Treasures from real-life excavations that will go on display include an Egyptian mummy, some Roman artefacts and gold from the pre-Columbian America's Inca civilisation. Recent findings from Wales will also be a part of the exhibits, including human skulls from Viking-age burials discovered at Llanbedrgoch, Anglesey. A 19th century crystal skull from Musée du Quai Branly, Paris, is another "star" exhibit.

"The exhibition will tell the stories behind great archaeological discoveries from the ancient civilizations of Egypt, Greece, Rome, Pre-Columbian America and Rapa Nui (Easter Island), some of which have never been seen in Wales before," the museum said in a statement. "It will include a whole host of fascinating objects and treasures from ancient worlds as well as more recent examples uncovered in Wales."

The exhibition will also explore the archaeological investigations of individuals, highlighting the impact of such discoveries on popular culture, fiction and film, the museum said, referring to Tintin, Indiana Jones, Rider Haggard and Conan Doyle. "Visitors will be encouraged to follow in the footsteps of archaeologists, historical and fictional, to uncover the stories behind some of the world's ancient treasures."

The exhibition will run till 30 October 2016.