Athens - Athens' international airport on Monday opened a small archaeological museum that will display the dozens of ancient artefacts uncovered during construction work at the site.

Greek Culture Minister Evangelos Venizelos and Transport Minister Christos Verelis inaugurated the museum, which houses 172 pieces including amphoras, tools, engravings and bas-relief sculpture.

The artefacts, which date from the Neolithic to the Byzantine eras, provide rare insight into the history of the Spata region, a traditionally agricultural area located 27km south of the capital, Verelis said.

Venizelos said the museum demonstrated the government's efforts to reconcile economic development with the preservation of the nation's heritage.

Athens, which is hosting next year's Olympic Games, unveiled its new international airport in March 2001.

The government had come under fire when it emerged that construction work at the new airport's site had destroyed several sites of archaeological value. - Sapa-AFP