British Museum
Museum guide

British Museum

The Rosetta Stone, the Parthenon sculptures, mummies, Assyrian lion hunts and a glass-roofed court. The British Museum, at your own pace.

6 floors50+ rooms300+ piecesabout an hour of stories
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Optional paths through the museum.

60 minThe British Museum in an HourThe Rosetta Stone, Ramesses II, Assyrian winged bulls, the royal lion hunt, the Parthenon sculptures and Hoa Hakananai'a.6 pieces · 1 floor120 minThe British Museum in Two HoursThe ground-floor icons, then upstairs to the Portland Vase, the Lewis Chessmen, Sutton Hoo, the Cyrus Cylinder, Ur and the mummies.12 pieces · 2 floors60 minWritten in Stone and ClayThe Rosetta Stone, the Black Obelisk, a Roman birthday invitation, the Cyrus Cylinder, a Babylonian map of the world and the Book of the Dead.7 pieces · 2 floors60 minTreasureThe Holy Thorn Reliquary, the Royal Gold Cup, the Sutton Hoo buckle, the Mildenhall dish, the Snettisham torc, the Mold cape and the Oxus chariot.7 pieces · 2 floors75 minHow They Came HereThe Rosetta Stone, a caryatid, the Parthenon sculptures, an Australian shield, Hoa Hakananai'a, the Benin plaques and a cross from Maqdala.7 pieces · 3 floors

Don't miss

The Rosetta StoneThe Rosetta StoneGround Floor
Horse of SeleneHorse of SeleneGround Floor
The Lewis ChessmenThe Lewis ChessmenLevel 3
The Sutton Hoo HelmetThe Sutton Hoo HelmetLevel 3
Hoa Hakananai'aHoa Hakananai'aGround Floor
Lions released into the arenaLions released into the arenaGround Floor

The building

5JapanJapan
3Mummies, Mesopotamia, Rome and EuropeEgyptian life and death: the tomb-chapel of NebamunEgyptian death and afterlife: mummiesEarly EgyptSudan, Egypt and NubiaEthiopia and Coptic EgyptAncient LevantMesopotamia 6000-1500 BCMesopotamia 1500-539 BCAnatolia and UrartuAncient South ArabiaGreeks in ItalyAncient CyprusEtruscan worldRoman EmpireGreek and Roman lifeMoneyMedieval Europe 1050-1500Clocks and watchesAncient IranEurope and Middle East 10,000-800 BCBritain and Europe 800 BC-AD 43Roman BritainSutton Hoo and Europe AD 300-1100The Islamic worldEurope 1400-1800Europe 1800-1900Europe 1900 to the present
2Korea and Chinese ceramicsChinese ceramicsKorea
1China and South AsiaIndia: AmaravatiChina and South AsiaChinese jade
GEgypt, Assyria, Greece and the Great CourtEgyptian sculptureAssyrian sculpture and Balawat GatesAssyria: NimrudAssyria: NinevehAssyria: Lion hunts, Siege of Lachish and KhorsabadGreece: Minoans and MycenaeansGreece 1050-520 BCGreek vasesGreece: Athens and LyciaGreece: Bassai sculpturesNereid MonumentGreece: ParthenonGreece: AthensGreeks and Lycians 400-325 BCMausoleum of HalikarnassosThe world of AlexanderGreek and Roman sculptureSainsbury Exhibitions GalleryLiving and DyingNorth AmericaMexicoEnlightenmentCollecting the worldThe Waddesdon Bequest
-2AfricaAfrica
Photo credits (309)
  • British Museum: Lennart K, Unsplash License
  • Egyptian sculpture: APK, CC BY 4.0
  • Assyrian sculpture and Balawat Gates: Paul Hudson from United Kingdom, CC BY 2.0
  • Assyria: Nimrud: Osama Shukir Muhammed Amin FRCP(Glasg), CC BY-SA 4.0
  • Assyria: Nineveh: Zunkir, CC BY-SA 4.0
  • Assyria: Lion hunts, Siege of Lachish and Khorsabad: Paul Hudson from United Kingdom, CC BY 2.0
  • Greece: Minoans and Mycenaeans: Paul Hudson, CC BY 2.0
  • Greece 1050-520 BC: Paul Hudson, CC BY 2.0
  • Greek vases: Paul Hudson, CC BY 2.0
  • Greece: Athens and Lycia: APK, CC BY 4.0
  • Greece: Bassai sculptures: Mike Peel (www.mikepeel.net), CC BY-SA 4.0
  • Nereid Monument: APK, CC BY 4.0
  • Greece: Parthenon: Andres Rueda, CC BY 2.0
  • Greece: Athens: Mujtaba Chohan, CC BY-SA 3.0 (GFDL, relicensed)
  • Greeks and Lycians 400-325 BC: Mike Peel (www.mikepeel.net), CC BY-SA 4.0
  • Mausoleum of Halikarnassos: APK, CC BY 4.0
  • The world of Alexander: APK, CC BY 4.0
  • Greek and Roman sculpture: Paul Hudson from United Kingdom, CC BY 2.0
  • Great Court: Andrew Dunn, http://www.andrewdunnphoto.com/, CC BY-SA 2.0
  • Reading Room: 14GTR, CC0
  • Living and Dying: Kevin Gordon, CC BY-SA 2.0
  • North America: Paul Hudson from United Kingdom, CC BY 2.0
  • Enlightenment: Oxyman, CC BY-SA 2.0
  • The Waddesdon Bequest: Johnbod, CC BY-SA 4.0
  • India: Amaravati: Redtigerxyz, CC BY-SA 3.0
  • China and South Asia: Andreas Praefcke, Public domain
  • Chinese jade: Vassil, CC0
  • Chinese ceramics: Patche99z, CC BY-SA 3.0
  • Korea: Marie-Lan Nguyen, CC BY 2.5
  • Egyptian life and death: the tomb-chapel of Nebamun: Paul Hudson from United Kingdom, CC BY 2.0
  • Egyptian death and afterlife: mummies: Paul Hudson from United Kingdom, CC BY 2.0
  • Early Egypt: Paul Hudson from United Kingdom, CC BY 2.0
  • Sudan, Egypt and Nubia: Paul Hudson from United Kingdom, CC BY 2.0
  • Ethiopia and Coptic Egypt: Paul Hudson from United Kingdom, CC BY 2.0
  • Ancient Levant: Jononmac46, CC BY-SA 3.0
  • Mesopotamia 6000-1500 BC: Paul Hudson from United Kingdom, CC BY 2.0
  • Mesopotamia 1500-539 BC: Osama Shukir Muhammed Amin FRCP(Glasg), CC BY-SA 4.0
  • Anatolia and Urartu: Paul Hudson from United Kingdom, CC BY 2.0
  • Ancient South Arabia: Paul Hudson from United Kingdom, CC BY 2.0
  • Greeks in Italy: Paul Hudson from United Kingdom, CC BY 2.0
  • Ancient Cyprus: APK, CC BY 4.0
  • Etruscan world: APK, CC BY 4.0
  • Roman Empire: APK, CC BY 4.0
  • Greek and Roman life: Paul Hudson from United Kingdom, CC BY 2.0
  • Money: APK, CC BY 4.0
  • Medieval Europe 1050-1500: Paul Hudson from United Kingdom, CC BY 2.0
  • Clocks and watches: APK, CC BY 4.0
  • Ancient Iran: 14GTR, CC0
  • Europe and Middle East 10,000-800 BC: Paul Hudson from United Kingdom, CC BY 2.0
  • Britain and Europe 800 BC-AD 43: Paul Hudson from United Kingdom, CC BY 2.0
  • Roman Britain: Paul Hudson from United Kingdom, CC BY 2.0
  • Sutton Hoo and Europe AD 300-1100: Paul Hudson from United Kingdom, CC BY 2.0
  • The Islamic world: John Kannenberg, CC BY-SA 2.0
  • Europe 1400-1800: Paul Hudson from United Kingdom, CC BY 2.0
  • Europe 1800-1900: Paul Hudson from United Kingdom, CC BY 2.0
  • Europe 1900 to the present: Paul Hudson from United Kingdom, CC BY 2.0
  • Japan: Paul Hudson from United Kingdom, CC BY 2.0
  • The Rosetta Stone: Matteo Vistocco, Unsplash License
  • Horse of Selene: Carole Raddato, CC BY-SA 2.0
  • The Lewis Chessmen: APK, CC BY 4.0
  • The Sutton Hoo Helmet: Mike Peel (www.mikepeel.net), CC BY-SA 4.0
  • Hoa Hakananai'a: Photograph by Mike Peel (www.mikepeel.net)., CC BY-SA 4.0
  • Lions released into the arena: Osama Shukir Muhammed Amin FRCP(Glasg), CC BY-SA 4.0
  • Colossal bust of Ramesses II (the 'Younger Memnon'): BabelStone, CC BY-SA 3.0
  • Inner coffin of Hornedjitef: APK, CC BY 4.0
  • The Standard of Ur: LeastCommonAncestor, CC BY-SA 3.0
  • The Portland Vase: Carole Raddato from Frankfurt, Germany, CC BY-SA 2.0
  • Winged bulls from Khorsabad: Osama Shukir Muhammed Amin FRCP(Glasg), CC BY-SA 4.0
  • Brass plaques from Benin City: Vassil, CC0
  • Gold model chariot: BabelStone, CC BY-SA 3.0
  • The Holy Thorn Reliquary: Geni, CC BY-SA 4.0
  • Shiva Nataraja, Lord of the Dance: Yair Haklai, CC BY-SA 4.0
  • Astrolabe made for Shah Sultan Husayn: Mike Peel (www.mikepeel.net), CC BY-SA 4.0
  • Tang dynasty tomb figures of Liu Tingxun: Yair Haklai, CC BY-SA 4.0
  • The Cyrus Cylinder: Daderot, CC0
  • The south front and portico: Mark Stuckey, Unsplash License
  • Colossal head of Amenhotep III: APK, CC BY 4.0
  • Colossal arm of Amenhotep III: Thomas Quine, CC BY 2.0
  • Sarcophagus of Nectanebo II: Gary Todd from Xinzheng, China, CC0
  • The Gayer-Anderson Cat: Peter D. Tillman from USA, CC BY-SA 2.0
  • The Prudhoe Lions: Stephen Gidley, CC BY 2.0
  • King list from the temple of Ramesses II at Abydos: CaptMondo, CC BY 2.5
  • Statues of Senusret III: APK, CC BY 4.0
  • False door of Ptahshepses: Sanjay ach, CC BY-SA 4.0
  • Colossal scarab beetle: Djehouty, CC BY-SA 4.0
  • Ram of Amun protecting King Taharqo: 14GTR, CC0
  • Seated statue of Sobekemsaf I: Sanjay ach, CC BY-SA 4.0
  • Colossal winged lions of Ashurnasirpal II: Osama Shukir Muhammed Amin FRCP(Glasg), CC BY-SA 4.0
  • The Black Obelisk of Shalmaneser III: Gary Todd, CC0
  • The Balawat Gates: Osama Shukir Muhammed Amin FRCP(Glasg), CC BY-SA 4.0
  • Guardian lion from the Temple of Ishtar: APK, CC BY 4.0
  • The Kurkh Monoliths: DrMaWo, CC BY-SA 4.0
  • The White Obelisk: SpeakingArch, CC BY-SA 4.0
  • Stela of Shamshi-Adad V: SpeakingArch, CC BY-SA 4.0
  • Stela of Ashurnasirpal II: Osama Shukir Muhammed Amin FRCP(Glasg), CC BY-SA 4.0
  • Winged protective spirits: Osama Shukir Muhammed Amin FRCP(Glasg), CC BY-SA 4.0
  • Ashurnasirpal II with his royal staff: Osama Shukir Muhammed Amin FRCP(Glasg), CC BY-SA 4.0
  • Tiglath-Pileser III: SpeakingArch, CC BY-SA 4.0
  • The royal lion hunt in the arena: Johnbod, CC BY-SA 4.0
  • The Siege of Lachish: Zunkir, CC BY-SA 4.0
  • The Master of Animals pendant (Aegina Treasure): Jean-Pierre Dalbéra, CC BY 2.0
  • Bronze bull and acrobat (the Minoan bull-leaper): Carole Raddato, CC BY-SA 2.0
  • Gold goblet: Marie-Lan Nguyen (User:Jastrow), 2006, Public domain
  • The Exekias amphora: Achilles and Penthesilea: Marie-Lan Nguyen (User:Jastrow), 2007, CC BY 2.5
  • The Sophilos dinos: Fer.filol, Public domain
  • Jug with a griffin-head spout: Zde, CC BY-SA 4.0
  • The Macmillan aryballos: Ismoon, CC BY-SA 4.0
  • Neck-amphora signed by Andokides: Claire H. (Flickr), CC BY-SA 2.0
  • Plate signed by Epiktetos: a Scythian archer: Marie-Lan Nguyen (User:Jastrow), 2006, Public domain
  • The 'bilingual' amphora: Herakles and the lion: APK, CC BY 4.0
  • Reliefs from the Harpy Tomb: Carole Raddato, CC BY-SA 2.0
  • The Strangford Apollo: Peter O'Connor aka anemoneprojectors, CC BY-SA 2.0
  • Portrait of Perikles: Photograph by Mike Peel (www.mikepeel.net)., CC BY-SA 4.0
  • Statue of a hero, perhaps Protesilaos: APK, CC BY 4.0
  • Frieze slab: Apollo and Artemis in their deer chariot: Mike Peel (www.mikepeel.net), CC BY-SA 4.0
  • The Nereid Monument (reconstructed east front): Peter O'Connor aka anemoneprojectors, CC BY-SA 2.0
  • The Nereids: Carole Raddato, CC BY-SA 2.0
  • Frieze slab: the ruler receives an embassy: Carole Raddato, CC BY-SA 2.0
  • The larger podium frieze: battle scenes: Carole Raddato, CC BY-SA 2.0
  • Crouching lion: Yair Haklai, CC BY-SA 4.0
  • West pediment: a battle: Sanjay ach, CC BY-SA 4.0
  • Reclining god, probably Dionysos: APK, CC BY 4.0
  • Metope of a Centaur and Lapith: Peter O'Connor aka anemoneprojectors, CC BY-SA 2.0
  • Horsemen of the frieze: Yair Haklai, CC BY-SA 3.0
  • River god, perhaps the Ilissos: Carole Raddato, CC BY-SA 2.0
  • Iris, messenger goddess: Marie-Lan Nguyen, CC BY 2.5
  • Two goddesses, perhaps Aphrodite and Dione: Marie-Lan Nguyen, CC BY 2.5
  • The peplos scene: Marie-Lan Nguyen, CC BY 2.5
  • The heifer lowing at the skies: Yair Haklai, CC BY-SA 4.0
  • Metope of a triumphant Centaur: Carole Raddato, CC BY-SA 2.0
  • Caryatid from the Erechtheion: Marie-Lan Nguyen, Public domain
  • Frieze slabs from the Temple of Athena Nike: Marie-Lan Nguyen, Public domain
  • Votive relief to the goddess Bendis: Andres Rueda, CC BY 2.0
  • Gravestone of Xanthippos: 14GTR, CC0
  • Tomb of Payava: Yair Haklai, CC BY-SA 4.0
  • Gravestone of Aristokles: Marie-Lan Nguyen (User:Jastrow), Public domain
  • Tomb of Merehi: Photograph by Mike Peel (www.mikepeel.net)., CC BY-SA 4.0
  • Horse from the Mausoleum chariot: Andres Rueda, CC BY 2.0
  • Colossal statue of a man, called 'Mausolus': Andres Rueda, CC BY 2.0
  • Colossal statue of a woman, called 'Artemisia': Andres Rueda, CC BY 2.0
  • Amazon frieze from the Mausoleum: Carole Raddato from Frankfurt, Germany, CC BY-SA 2.0
  • Rider in Persian dress: 14GTR, CC0
  • Head of Apollo from the Mausoleum: 14GTR, CC0
  • Lion from the Mausoleum: Carole Raddato from Frankfurt, Germany, CC BY-SA 2.0
  • Demeter of Knidos: Andres Rueda, CC BY 2.0
  • Sculpted column drum, Temple of Artemis at Ephesos: APK, CC BY 4.0
  • Apollo of Cyrene: APK, CC BY 4.0
  • Relief of a youth with his horse: Yair Haklai, CC BY-SA 4.0
  • Lely's Venus: Andres Rueda, CC BY 2.0
  • The Choiseul-Gouffier Apollo: 14GTR, CC0
  • The Vaison Diadoumenos: 14GTR, CC0
  • Statue of Hermes from Kew: 14GTR, CC0
  • The Great Court roof: Grant Ritchie, Unsplash License
  • The Lion of Knidos: BabelStone, CC0
  • Kayung totem pole: BabelStone, CC BY-SA 3.0
  • Memorial slab carved with Ogham script: BabelStone, CC0
  • Quartzite head of Amenhotep III: Osama Shukir Muhammed Amin FRCP(Glasg), CC BY-SA 4.0
  • The Reading Room dome: Phil Armitage, Public domain
  • The readers' desks and catalogue desk: Bobulous, CC BY-SA 4.0
  • The Akan Drum: Johnbod, CC BY-SA 3.0
  • Stone pipe in the form of an otter: Unknown, CC0
  • Nuhlmahl mask: Ethan Doyle White, CC BY-SA 4.0
  • Double-headed serpent: BabelStone, CC BY-SA 3.0
  • Yaxchilan Lintel 24: Photograph by Mike Peel (www.mikepeel.net)., CC BY-SA 4.0
  • Huaxtec goddess sculptures: Photograph by Mike Peel (www.mikepeel.net)., CC BY-SA 4.0
  • Yaxchilan Lintel 25: Andres Rueda, CC BY 2.0
  • Yaxchilan Lintel 16: Photograph by Mike Peel (www.mikepeel.net)., CC BY-SA 4.0
  • Yaxchilan Lintel 15: Photograph by Mike Peel (www.mikepeel.net)., CC BY-SA 4.0
  • Mask of Tezcatlipoca: Unknown, CC BY 3.0
  • Turquoise mask of Xiuhtecuhtli: Hans Hillewaert, CC BY-SA 4.0
  • Bust of Sir Hans Sloane: Photograph by Mike Peel (www.mikepeel.net)., CC BY-SA 4.0
  • Shield from New South Wales (often called the Gweagal shield): Unknown, CC0
  • The Sloane Astrolabe: Photograph by Mike Peel (www.mikepeel.net)., CC BY-SA 4.0
  • The Tudor Heart pendant: Jononmac46, CC0
  • The Knucklebone Player: Carole Raddato from FRANKFURT, Germany, CC BY-SA 2.0
  • Kava bowl held up by two carved men: BabelStone, CC BY-SA 3.0
  • The Palmer Cup: Johnbod, CC BY-SA 4.0
  • Plaque of the Oba sacrificing leopards: Photograph by Mike Peel (www.mikepeel.net)., CC BY-SA 4.0
  • Brass head of an Ooni (king) of Ife: Vassil, CC0
  • Tree of Life: Jean-Pierre Dalbéra from Paris, France, CC BY 2.0
  • Palace door and lintel from Ikere: 14GTR, CC0
  • Chair of power (kiti cha enzi): Photograph by Mike Peel (www.mikepeel.net)., CC BY-SA 4.0
  • Drum slab showing the Great Shrine: Gryffindor, CC BY-SA 3.0
  • Statue of Tara: Mike Peel (www.mikepeel.net), CC BY-SA 4.0
  • The Bimaran reliquary: World Imaging, CC BY-SA 3.0
  • The Kang Hou gui: Daderot, CC0
  • Glazed luohan from Yixian: Osama Shukir Muhammed Amin FRCP(Glasg), CC BY-SA 4.0
  • Ravi Shankar's sitar: Matt Brown, CC BY 2.0
  • Matched pair of jade 'S' dragons: Vassil, CC0
  • The David Vases: BabelStone, CC BY-SA 3.0
  • Ru ware bowl stand: Johnbod, CC BY-SA 4.0
  • Vase with copper-red dragons among waves: 14GTR, CC0
  • White porcelain moon jar: Ismoon, CC BY-SA 4.0
  • The sarangbang, a scholar's room: Radosław Botev, CC BY 3.0 pl
  • Vessel in the shape of a duck: 14GTR, CC0
  • Fowling in the marshes: SpeakingArch, CC BY-SA 4.0
  • The banquet: musicians and dancers: Ashley Van Haeften, CC BY 2.0
  • Counting the geese: Didia, CC BY-SA 3.0
  • Cattle brought for inspection: Didia, CC BY-SA 3.0
  • Mummy of Artemidorus: ArchaiOptix, CC BY-SA 4.0
  • Book of the Dead of Hunefer: the judgement: Djehouty, CC BY-SA 4.0
  • Mummy of Nesperennub: Jl FilpoC, CC BY-SA 4.0
  • Naturally preserved body of a young man from Gebelein: Photograph by Mike Peel (www.mikepeel.net)., CC BY-SA 4.0
  • The Battlefield Palette: Djehouty, CC BY-SA 4.0
  • The Pitt-Rivers Knife: Einsamer Schütze, CC BY-SA 3.0
  • Ivory label for King Den's sandals: CaptMondo, CC BY 2.5
  • Statue of Ankhwa: Gary Todd from Xinzheng, China, CC0
  • Sphinx of Taharqo: Gary Todd from Xinzheng, China, CC0
  • Shabtis of King Taharqo: Photograph by Mike Peel (www.mikepeel.net)., CC BY-SA 4.0
  • Battle of Adwa: Photo by Szilas (painting by an unknown Ethiopian artist), CC BY-SA 4.0
  • Wall painting of Saints Cosmas and Damian: Osama Shukir Muhammed Amin FRCP(Glasg), CC BY-SA 4.0
  • The Nimrud ivories: M0tty, CC BY-SA 3.0
  • Reliefs from Tell Halaf: Deror_avi, CC BY-SA 3.0
  • Amarna letter from Labaya of Shechem: Osama Shukir Muhammed Amin FRCP(Glasg), CC BY-SA 4.0
  • The Royal Game of Ur: BabelStone, CC0
  • The Queen of the Night (Burney Relief): BabelStone, CC0
  • Copper relief of the lion-headed eagle Imdugud: Gary Todd, CC0
  • Statue of Gudea: Vassil, CC0
  • The Babylonian Map of the World: Gary Todd, CC0
  • The Flood Tablet: Osama Shukir Muhammed Amin FRCP(Glasg), CC BY-SA 4.0
  • Babylonian boundary stones (kudurru): Osama Shukir Muhammed Amin FRCP(Glasg), CC BY-SA 4.0
  • Ivory griffin-headed demon: Zunkir, CC BY-SA 4.0
  • Assyrian merchants' tablets from Kultepe: Szilas, CC BY-SA 4.0
  • Urartian bronze winged bull: Zunkir, CC BY-SA 4.0
  • Bronze hand dedicated to the god Ta'lab: Einsamer Schütze, CC BY-SA 3.0
  • Gold libation bowl from Sant'Angelo Muxaro: Caeciliusinhorto, CC BY-SA 4.0
  • Flask shaped like a comic actor on an altar: APK, CC BY 4.0
  • Bronze actor from a satyr play: APK, CC BY 4.0
  • Bronze helmet of Chalcidian type: APK, CC BY 4.0
  • Silver medallion of Aphrodite at her toilet: APK, CC BY 4.0
  • Limestone worshippers from the sanctuary of Apollo at Idalion: APK, CC BY 4.0
  • Statue base with two scripts: Zunkir, CC BY-SA 4.0
  • Cooking pot dedicated to the Nymph at Kafizin: Zunkir, CC BY-SA 4.0
  • Painted sarcophagus of Seianti Hanunia Tlesnasa: APK, CC BY 4.0
  • Reconstruction of Seianti's face: APK, CC BY 4.0
  • Gold brooch from Vulci: Jononmac46, CC0
  • Bronze offering from the sanctuary of Diana at Nemi: Jononmac46, CC0
  • Painted panels from the Boccanera tomb: ArchaiOptix, CC BY-SA 4.0
  • The Warren Cup: Ashley Van Haeften, CC BY 2.0
  • The Blacas Cameo: Mike Peel (www.mikepeel.net), CC BY-SA 4.0
  • Statue of the emperor Septimius Severus: Osama Shukir Muhammed Amin FRCP(Glasg), CC BY-SA 4.0
  • Funerary relief of Lucius Ampudius Philomusus and his family: Mike Peel (www.mikepeel.net), CC BY-SA 4.0
  • Acrobat on a crocodile: sailko, CC BY-SA 3.0
  • Funerary relief of Lucius Antistius Sarculo and Antistia Plutia: APK, CC BY 4.0
  • Bronze gladiator's helmet: davehighbury, CC BY-SA 2.0
  • Terracotta girl writing: Caeciliusinhorto, CC BY-SA 4.0
  • A pair of auloi (Greek reed pipes): Unknown (uploader released into the public domain), Public domain
  • Clay offerings shaped like body parts: Caeciliusinhorto, CC BY-SA 4.0
  • Gold dinar of Offa: PHGCOM, Public domain
  • Suffragette-defaced penny: Osama Shukir Muhammed Amin FRCP(Glasg), CC BY-SA 4.0
  • Athenian silver 'owl': ArchaiOptix, CC BY-SA 4.0
  • The Royal Gold Cup: BabelStone, CC0
  • The Dunstable Swan Jewel: Paul Hudson from United Kingdom, CC BY 2.0
  • Jewellery from the Fishpool Hoard: BabelStone, CC0
  • The citole: Romainbehar, Public domain
  • Cassiobury Park turret clock: Rept0n1x, CC BY-SA 3.0
  • The Mechanical Galleon: APK, CC BY 4.0
  • Rolling ball clock: Photograph by Mike Peel (www.mikepeel.net)., CC BY-SA 4.0
  • Astronomical and musical clock by Henry Jenkins: Andres Rueda, CC BY 2.0
  • Gold griffin-headed armlet: Marie-Lan Nguyen, Public domain
  • Gold fish: Nickmard Khoey, CC BY-SA 2.0
  • The Mold gold cape: Andreas Praefcke, Public domain
  • The Oxborough Dirk: Johnbod, CC BY-SA 3.0
  • Star Carr antler frontlet: Ethan Doyle White, CC BY-SA 4.0
  • The Blessington lunula: John Maynard Friedman, CC0
  • The Snettisham Great Torc: Ealdgyth, CC BY-SA 3.0
  • Lindow Man: skinnylawyer, CC BY-SA 2.0
  • The Basse-Yutz Flagons: BabelStone, CC0
  • The Desborough Mirror: Fuzzypeg, Public domain
  • The Witham Shield: BabelStone, CC0
  • The Battersea Shield: BabelStone, CC0
  • The Waterloo Helmet: WordRidden, CC BY 2.0
  • The Great Dish, Mildenhall Treasure: Daderot, CC0
  • Bronze head of the emperor Hadrian: FollowingHadrian, CC BY-SA 4.0
  • Hinton St Mary mosaic, central roundel: Andres Rueda, CC BY 2.0
  • The Ribchester Helmet: DAVID HOLT from London, England, CC BY-SA 2.0
  • Replica of the Sutton Hoo Helmet: APK, CC BY 4.0
  • The great gold buckle: Michel wal, CC BY-SA 3.0
  • Sutton Hoo shoulder clasps: Gary Todd from Xinzheng, China, CC0
  • The Franks Casket: Mike Peel (www.mikepeel.net), CC BY-SA 4.0
  • The Lycurgus Cup: Chappsnet, CC BY 4.0
  • The Projecta Casket: Jononmac46, CC BY-SA 3.0
  • The Fuller Brooch: Johnbod, CC BY-SA 3.0
  • Iznik mosque lamp for the Dome of the Rock: Aa77zz, CC0
  • Celestial globe from Mosul: Mike Peel (www.mikepeel.net), CC BY-SA 4.0
  • The Vaso Vescovali: rugrabbit.com (per the file's credit line), CC BY-SA 4.0
  • Basin of Sultan al-Nasir Muhammad: Ted1968, CC0
  • The Armada Service: Jononmac46, CC BY-SA 4.0
  • The Welford Cup: Jononmac46, CC BY-SA 4.0
  • Hand mortar: Geni, CC BY-SA 4.0
  • 'East India Sugar not made by Slaves' sugar bowl: Photo: Andreas Praefcke, Public domain
  • Peterloo massacre plaque: Brigade Piron, CC BY-SA 4.0
  • 'Hunt and Liberty' beaker: Brigade Piron, CC BY-SA 4.0
  • Anti-Corn Law League child's plate: Brigade Piron, CC BY-SA 4.0
  • Micromosaic of a horse in a landscape: Vassil, CC0
  • 'Kapital' plate by Mikhail Adamovich: BabelStone, CC BY-SA 4.0
  • Volga famine plate by Natalya Girschfeld: 14GTR, CC0
  • Plate by Maria Lebedeva: 14GTR, CC0
  • '20 Jahre DDR' plate: 14GTR, CC0
  • Suit of samurai armour of the Mori family: 14GTR, CC0
  • The Kakiemon elephants: Marie-Lan Nguyen, CC BY 2.5
  • Waeian tea house: 14GTR, CC0
  • Replica of the Kudara Kannon: Daderot, CC0
  • Bronze bell (dotaku): Daderot, CC0
  • Helmet in the form of a sea creature: 14GTR, CC0
  • Articulated iron snake: 14GTR, CC0
  • Octopus and pot netsuke: 14GTR, CC0
  • Notice board with anti-Christian edict: Zunkir, CC BY-SA 4.0
  • Dawn, a dish by Tokuda Yasokichi III: 14GTR, CC0

An independent audio guide by Roamer, not affiliated with or endorsed by the British Museum. Museum admission is separate. Photos from Wikimedia Commons, Flickr and Pexels contributors under open licences; credits on each piece.

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