What happens when you merge some of the Island’s oldest artefacts from the 16th and 17th centuries with some of the newest technology on the planet?You get an exhibit that’s sure to engage people of all ages — so believes curator Elena Strong.The National Museum of Bermuda’s newest exhibit ‘Shipwreck Island’ will officially open to the public this weekend in Dockyard.It tells a story of Bermuda’s discovery and early history from 1505 to 1684. It also showcases the Island’s earliest shipwrecks and gives insight into Bermuda’s emerging culture and heritage, explained Ms Strong.For the first time, the museum will be utilising iPad technology to enhance the visitor’s experience and allow people to get a closer look at some of the detailed artefacts, from coins to jewellery.Ms Strong explained: “Young people know how to use [the technology] and the exhibits are about breaking down information and different tiers of information so you don’t want to overwhelm people.“There are different visitors [to the museum], some people want to quickly browse the exhibit or some read every bit of text, so the iPads will appeal to a different type of visitor who wants a deeper understanding.“It also appeals to younger generations and museums [across the globe] should be getting into technology seeing that the world is becoming more technological.”Museum staff first came up with the idea for ‘Shipwreck Island’ seven years ago. It has taken years for interns, local curators and outside consultants to complete the display — which involved gathering and preserving the artefacts, completing historical research and designing and laying out the cases.Ms Strong said: “The museum had this collection of shipwreck artefacts. It had somewhat been on display before, but it’s one of Bermuda’s most significant cultural collections.“We have hundreds and hundreds of wrecks around Bermuda and the museum has a large collection of these amazing artefacts. Some [pieces] belong to the Government, others belong to the museum or people who used to salvage shipwrecks, but not everyone can dive and access them so we wanted to bring this to the general public to let them see these beautiful artefacts.”She said other museums around the Island — for instance the St George’s Foundation — told a piece of the story pertaining to the East End, but there wasn’t one space where the entire story was being told. The new exhibit will fill that void.“From an educational standpoint it’s also part of the national curriculum in schools [to learn about the Island’s history] and can now be accessed by anyone interested in learning about what’s under our waters,” she said.The exhibit will be housed in the Island’s largest fort, The Keep — which was used as an ammunition storehouse when built in 1850.Artefacts on display have been gathered from around the world, including Latin America, the Caribbean, Europe and Asia. Some of the olive jars used as storage containers survived for nearly 350 years underwater still intact; a war club from Guyana is one of only four like it in the world, said Ms Strong.“What is on display are very rare and unique items that have never been seen by the public,” she explained.The exhibit gives information on what life was like aboard different ships, how crew navigated the vessels and defended themselves against attacks. It also gives details on trade routes and touches on issues like colonialism and slavery.Ms Strong described the artefacts as accidental time capsules, seeing that many of the items found on the ocean floor could be pinned to an exact period of time. She said the pieces showed the significant part the Island has played in world history. “For being a little fleck in the middle of the Atlantic, throughout history we have played an amazing role,” she added.The curator said museum staff were looking forward to welcoming the public into the new self-guided exhibit and seeing them walk away with a knowledge and deeper sense of appreciation for the Island.“I hope people will learn about Bermuda’s discovery and early history and the importance of archaeology and the first 70 years of settlement and how at that early time Bermuda became separate from England and developed it’s own distinct and unique culture.“They will also learn about the stories of the local Bermudians who discovered the wrecks and the types of ships crossing the Atlantic during that period, but also the importance of protecting out underwater cultural heritage.“It’s a non renewable resource so if you take something you will never get it back,” said Ms Strong.Each different gallery in the exhibit has been sponsored by local companies or families. Some are named in honour of supporters like Harry Wilken, Robert Steinhoff, Alvin Ferreira, Belco, The Stempel Family Gallery and The Bermudian Gallery.The museum held a soft opening for the exhibit in June, but an official launch will be taking place for invited guests this evening.Visitors all welcome to check out Shipwreck Island starting this weekend. The National Museum of Bermuda in Dockyard is open daily from 9.30am until 5pm. Entry is $10 for adults, $8 for seniors, $5 for children and free for members and children under five. For further information call 234-1333.Useful website: www.bmm.bm.