Ancient art: The new Acropolis Museum in Athens

The entrance to the £130m museum, which sits above newly excavated remains of ancient Athens Photograph: Stephen Moss/Guardian

The new museum combines original exhibits with plaster replicas of items being held in other institutions around the world Photograph: Stephen Moss/Guardian

A sixth-century BC terracotta plaque from the Sanctuary of the Nymph, originally situated at the foot of the Acropolis Photograph: Nikos Daniilidis/Acropolis Museum

It's one week before the official opening, and a worker removes plastic wrapping from the frieze that once adorned the Parthenon Photograph: Stephen Moss/Guardian

The Parthenon looms on its hill, seen through the museum's glass wall Photograph: Stephen Moss/Guardian

The caryatids from the Erechtheion. Lord Elgin removed one to decorate his Scottish mansion and severely damaged a second Photograph: Nikos Danilidis/Acropolis Museum

The Peplos Kore, from around 530BC. There are still traces of ancient pigment around her eyes Photograph: Nikos Daniilidis/Acropolis Museum