A Day At The British Museum!

On the 6th of June we spent the entire day in the British Museum (from the time they opened to the time they closed). We both thought that it was a fantastic day. The British Museum is one of those places that both my brother and I would love to spend about a week in. However, due to our limited time in London we had to resist temptation and only spend a day at this incredible museum. Together we took hundreds of pictures in the museum, for it contains many items that are truly irreplaceable and utterly priceless to the history of our world. However since I don't wish to bore anyone with an extensive display of images from the museum Michael and I have picked our favorite images to share with you.

 Due to the extensive nature of what was the British Empire, England was able to acquire, through sometimes questioned methods, countless pieces of ancient history. There Egyptian section alone will put one in awe due to the enormity of the collection as well as the pristine condition of the pieces. The above picture is a picture of the Goddess Hathor, from around 1400 B.C..

In the above picture Michael is standing in front of a statue of Ramesses II, from about 1270 BC. This statue had actually been part of a pair of statues in the King's mortuary temple in western Thebes.

The above picture shows just one of the halls containing countless Egyptian artifacts.

When most people hear the name Rosetta Stone, they are thinking about the language software. However, if you are familiar with history you will know that the Rosetta Stone is quite literally a stone. This fragment of a larger stone slab recorded a decree from the 27th of March 196 B.C.. And what, may you ask, is so special about this decree. This decree is important to historians and linguists because it was the key to unlocking the mystery of hieroglyphics. Since at the time of the decree Egypt was ruled by the Greek dynasty the decree was written first in hieroglyphs, then in Demotic, then in Greek. Studying this tablet allowed scholars to crack the code of Egyptian hieroglyphics.

The British Museum is home to more than just Egyptian artifacts. One of our favorite sections besides the Egyptian was that of ancient Greece. The above picture is a bust of Alexander the Great. Still today many view Alexander the Great as one of the best generals and kings to have ever existed. Much of the story of his life is shrouded in myth and legend, adding to his reputation as an impressive figure.

 A pig with a pig. That is Michael's title for this picture which is, not to any one's surprise, one of his favorites. This ceramic pig comes from one of the only surviving series of sacrificial statues of pigs left in the world. The pigs used to be sacrificed (either statue versions or the real thing) in rituals dedicated to Demeter or Persephone (Kore). The reason for this may lie in Greek mythology for as Persephone was being swallowed by the earth in Hades attempt to abduct her, several pigs that were nearby were also engulfed by the earth.

One of the most incredible exhibits that must be seen should you go to the British Museum is the remains from the Parthenon. The above is just one of numerous panels that the museum has from this Ancient Greek temple on the Athenian acropolis.This exhibit is also one of the most controversial that the museum contains for many disagree with the British Museum housing these Greek artifacts. Regardless of the sentimental feelings involved, one can not ignore that the British Museum has a better track record of preserving and maintaining such pieces. Therefore for the reason of the best preservation of these priceless pieces of world history, I am glad that they are in the British Museum.

All in all our visit to the British museum was fantastic, though we both wish we had been able to spend several days there.Above is another of Michael's favorite pictures, one where I am developing strategy and prioritizing what exhibits to see in the limited time that we had.

Cheerio!