Tunisia's besieged Bardo museum also a site of ancient treasures — theguardian.com

Tunisia’s Bardo museum, where gunmen killed tourists and security officials on Wednesday, houses a trove of ancient treasures in a palace complex built up over centuries. Much of the compound, which sits next to the Tunisian parliament, was designed by and for the Beys, vassal-kings who ruled the area on behalf of the Ottoman empire from the early 18th century. Some buildings on the site, though, date back to the 14th century. Many of the sculptures, ceramics, mosaics and other artefacts on display inside are far older, testament to the country’s long, diverse history.

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