Petrie Museum of Egyptian Archaeology
University College London
Malet Place
London
Greater London
WC1E 6BT
England
Website
UCL Museums and Collections
Telephone
020 7679 2884
Fax
020 7679 2886
The Petrie Museum houses an estimated 80,000 objects, making it one of the greatest collections of Egyptian and Sudanese archaeology in the world. It illustrates life in the Nile Valley from prehistory through the time of the pharaohs, the Ptolemaic, Roman and Coptic periods to the Islamic period.
The entire collection of this museum is a Designated Collection of national importance.
Venue Type:
Museum
University College London
Malet Place
London
Greater London
WC1E 6BT
England
Website
UCL Museums and Collections
Telephone
020 7679 2884
Fax
020 7679 2886
The entire collection of the Petrie Museum is a Designated Collection of national importance.
The Petrie Museum's collection - numbering over 80,000 objects - covers the full range of Egypt's complex history from Palaeolithic to Islamic times, and includes artefacts from all types of archaeological sites in Egypt. It is largely based on the artefact collections gathered by the pioneering archaeologist Sir Flinders Petrie on his many excavations, and includes his own detailed documentation. Spectacular decorative objects - including pottery, mosaics and superb funerary portraits, are complemented by a comprehensive collection of everyday objects, from tools and weapons to weights and measures, from garments to cooking vessels. Collections of geological, botanical, zoological and some mummified human material help to give a complete picture of the ancient Egyptian world.
The collection is full of 'firsts': One of the earliest pieces of linen from Egypt (about 5000 BC); two lions from the temple of Min at Koptos, from the first group of monumental sculpture (about 3000 BC); a fragment from the first kinglist or calendar (about 2900 BC); the earliest example of metal from Egypt, the first worked iron beads, the earliest example of glazing, the earliest 'cylinder seal' in Egypt (about 3500 BC); the oldest wills on papyrus paper, the oldest gynaecological papyrus; the only veterinary papyrus from ancient Egypt, and the largest architectural drawing, showing a shrine (about 1300 BC).
More than these highlights, though, the collection is uniquely important because so much of it comes from documented excavations. The large typological series of objects (amulets, faience, objects of daily use, tools and weapons, weights and measures, stone vessels, jewellery) provide a unique insight into how people have lived and died in the Nile Valley.
Collection details
Weapons and War, Science and Technology, Personalities, Natural Sciences, Decorative and Applied Art, Costume and Textiles, Archives, Archaeology
Key artists and exhibits
- Designated Collection
Collections services
- General guide to collections available
- Object identification and/or written enquiry service
- Public access available to collections information
- Specialist publications on collections available
- Object study facilities available (enquire in advance)
University College London
Malet Place
London
Greater London
WC1E 6BT
England
Website
UCL Museums and Collections
Telephone
020 7679 2884
Fax
020 7679 2886
Antinous, Last God of the Ancient World
When the beautiful youth Antinous, favourite of the Roman emperor Hadrian drowned in the Nile one autumn night in 130 AD, his legacy appeared slight. However, in the aftermath of his death, the city of Antinoopolis was founded for him, a stellar constellation was given his name, and, remarkably, Antinous was proclaimed a god with a cult, which generated a recognisable sculptural corpus. Q&A included. Part of LGBT History Month.
Suitable for
- Not suitable for children
- 18+
When
6:30-7:30pm
Admission
Pre-book at website. Some tickets available on the door.
Website
Egypt and Comics: Mythology and Pop Art Reflections
Asterix, Tintin, Thundercats, Dr Fate, Promethea and Hawkman – comics have engaged with Egypt in a range of different ways. In this talk Paul Harrison analyses the manner in which Western conceptions of Egypt, heritage and legacy are portrayed in mainstream comics. Q & A included.
Suitable for
- Any age
- Family friendly
When
6:30-7:30pm
Getting to the Root of Egyptian Hair
Workshop linked to research for a forthcoming exhibition ‘African Combs: 5,000 years of culture, politics and identity’ at Cambridge. Sandra Gittens, a specialist and author on African hair, will explore the types of North, West and East African hair types/braids worn today with a practical demo of braiding by a specialist.
Suitable for
- Any age
- Family friendly
When
6:30-7:30pm
Wandering Wombs and Wicked Water
The Kahun Gynaecological Papyrus is the oldest known medical text dating from Egypt's Middle Kingdom (2025-1700 BC). The fragments that survive offer an intriguing insight into ideas about women and their bodies in ancient Egypt and also suggest that ideas previously thought to have originated in Greek medicine are actually much older. Carole Reeves (UCL Wellcome Fellow History of Medicine) gives a special talk for International Women’s Day followed by a Q&A.
Suitable for
- 18+
- Not suitable for children
When
6:30-7:30pm
How Scientific was Agora? Astronomy and Alexandria
A screening of clips from Agora where Hypatia explains astronomy and cosmology with analysis on what is accurate about what was known and believed about the universe at that time and what was not. With Andrew Gregory (UCL Science and Technology Studies), expert on Greek cosmology and perceptions of astronomy, and Debbie Challis (UCL Petrie Museum) on Alexandria and perceptions of Hypatia.
Part of National Science and Engineering Week. Includes Q&A.
Suitable for
- 18+
- 16-17
- Not suitable for children
When
6:30-8pm
Where
Institute of Archaeology Lecture Theatre, Gordon Square
University College London
Malet Place
London
Greater London
WC1E 6BT
England
Website
UCL Museums and Collections
Telephone
020 7679 2884
Fax
020 7679 2886
University College London
Malet Place
London
Greater London
WC1E 6BT
England
Website
UCL Museums and Collections
Telephone
020 7679 2884
Fax
020 7679 2886
- About
- | Collections
- | Events
- | Resources
- | Map
