introduction

The British Museum is one of the world’s major museums, a role that includes being a centre for world class research both our own research and supporting the research of others. Founded in 1753, the Museum holds a collection whose scope covers the culture and history of people from all parts of the world over the last two million years to the present day. We are committed to sharing our collection with everyone for their inspiration and enjoyment, whether they are visiting the Museum in London, seeing touring exhibitions in the UK and around the world, or online.

Research is essential to our work, teaching and inspiring people about human history, through the objects in our collections and other museums’ around the world.  Our staff are actively engaged in research to support new exhibitions and permanent displays, as well as archaeological excavations, the scientific study of objects and studies to improve the care and display of objects. Much of our research is carried out in partnership with universities.

The British Museum collection is an important resource for researchers, it is open to anyone to request to study objects in the collection for research or inspiration.

Our collection has over 8 million objects, ranging from ancient stone tools to contemporary western art. The collection includes archaeological material from the UK and around the world; ancient sculpture; ceramics, metal and organic objects made in the last 1000 years, including many ‘ethnographic’ objects; pottery, metal work, coins, banknotes, credit cards and medals; clock and watches; paintings and prints from Oceania, Africa, Asia and Middle East; and a large collection of western prints, drawings and ephemera.