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Museum Details
Petrie Museum of Egyptian Archaeology
University College London
Malet Place
London
WC1E 6BT
England
Collection details
Archaeology
Archives
Costume and Textiles
Decorative and Applied Art
Natural Sciences
Personalities
Science and Technology
Weapons and War
Facilities
Shop: yes
Library: yes
Study area: yes
Wheelchair access: yes
Contact details
General information (Tel)
:
020 7679 2884
General information (Fax)
:
020 7679 2886
E-mail
:
petrie.museum@ucl.ac.uk
Website
:
www.petrie.ucl.ac.uk/
Open
Tues-Fri 1300-1700
Sat 1000-1300
Closed Bank holidays
Easter & Christmas Period Closed
Description
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.
Collections description
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.
Articles
Summer Museum Events For Children And Young People
Eight Thousand Years of Egypt At The Petrie Museum
Trails
On The Trail Of The Ancient Egyptians In UK Museums
Events
Re-Screening Nubian Spirit
Lecture
Hammer Horror's The Mummy: Film Screening
Holiday Flicks: The Tourist Gaze in Egypt
Lecture
Legacy Exhibition
Exhibition (temporary)
Napoleon in Egypt Study Day: Petrie Museum and Apsley House
Guided tour; Lecture
Desire and Papyrus: The Discovery of Sappho in Egypt
Lecture
Antinous: Gay Icon?
Lecture
Pyramid Building: Change and Innovation
Guided tour
Fabric Figurines: Make Your Own Fabric Doll Art Workshop
Workshop or activity session
Isis to Cleopatra: Ptolemaic Egypt at the Petrie Museum
Lecture; Workshop or activity session
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Information published here was believed to be correct at the time it was prepared. Welsh language pages developed with CYMAL: Museums Archives and Libraries Wales, funded by the Welsh Assembly Government.