The British Museum in the United Kingdom London is a world class museum housing a variety of ancient anthropology artefacts from the Roman Empire, Africa and European ancient history. It is a great place for a day out of exploring the various galleries as a learning day. Let’s see what’s on.
Furthermore, the museum is geographically located in London off Russel square (and nearest underground station with same name). The building itself spans over 3 floors with almost most the exhibits located on the ground floor. Greeting you at the entrance is the Great Court.
It is a vast central atrium with a clear skylit glass roof. It is a sheltered atrium is where the museum shops and cafes reside, accessible via the main entrance from Great Russell street. Also, the great court houses an auditorium and events seating space. However, it is mostly not opened to public unless for events.
Egypt and Sudan and Egyptian sculpture gallery
Moreover, the ground floor are the large items are displayed. The Ancient Egypt galleries greets you are one of the first gallery closest you enter from the Museum’s great court. It represents the cultures of the Nile Valley dating as far back from 10,000 BC to the 12th century AD.
Things are big here. Here, you can also find the Bassai interior of the Temple of Apollo Epikourios. This excavated Bassai Frieze is the high relief marble sculpture in 23 panels, 31m long by 63cm high, dated about 420-400BC ago.
You do travel back through 3,000 years of history via through a timeline gallery of history. Discover the Rosetta Stone, Statue of Ramesses II.
Going on the large theme, you can also find the Assyrian sculpture and large Balawat Gates here flanking the gallery entrances. It comprises of a human faced with a four legged animal body with eagle wings. It is a spectacular sight in both size and detail.
Greece and Rome Galleries
Furthermore, notable highlights here include the Greek and Roman galleries as well as the Middle Eastern ones. This museum department shines a light on the history and culture of the ancient Mediterranean world. This includes items from Greece Parthenon, Greek and Roman sculptures and vases dating from 520 BC to 1050AD
Moreover, you can find slabs of the Greek Bassai sculptures and the Nereid Monument. This makes up sculptures and columns of this monumental tomb. It believed to be built for Arbinas, a Xanthian rulers. Also, these tomes are the finest of the Lycian tombs from Xanthos, south-west Turkey.
Also, it stands center piece in this gallery (Room 17). Notably, it is the largest and one of the larger exhibits on display here in the British Museum.
Additionally, the Parthenon is one of the far reaching deeper galleries, and one of the largest connecting galleries, spanning 3 vast rooms. Also, it comprises of temple artefacts of the temple dedicated to the goddess Athena.
Moreover, here on display too are recovered archaeological pieces featuring fragments of the Parthenon sculpture and also pieces of architecture.
Moreover, decorated is the temple exterior with sculptures representing scenes from mythology and cult. The building interior stood a colossal image of Athena Parthenos, constructed of gold and ivory. This is depicted through several marble reliefs on display along the gallery walls. Notably they had been on permanent display in the museum since 1817.
Miscellaneous galleries
In addition are the small collection of China and South Asia pottery and ceramic figures in the Sir Joseph Hotung Gallery. In addition, the level 3 (2nd physical level) houses smaller items on displays from Ancient Egypt, Asia (Japan), Greece, Rome and the Middle East. Notable items include those form the Roman Empire in the Wolfson Gallery and those from Medieval Europe from the 1050 to 1500 AD covering European history.
Also, notably, the various galleries are named after the person or entity who sponsored the respective gallery. Also, this the floor where special temporary exhibitions are being housed too.
All in all, you are good here in the British Museum for an entire afternoon. This is especially if you want to explore and touch base at every gallery here. Also, it is not uncommon to find artists and school groups doing down their rounds here. Whether its groups or individuals sitting down and sketching one of the many exhibits here, it is a great time to pass the day in the City of London. The museum is open daily from 10am to 5pm museum and is a great place for a family day out.
