British Museum

I'm a history fan and this museum is not going to be of much interest to those who are not fans of history. So...take my review for what it's worth as a novice history fan. Toured in September, 2008.

The British Museum is a FREE museum and also open into the evening on Thursdays and Fridays. Located within a few blocks of a couple tube stops. Have audio tours. Has a cafeteria on main floor and a nicer sit down restaurant on the upper floor. Couple gift shops.

Yes, it has its controversies, but from a pure “want to see as much as you can in one place” type of vacation I was on when there, it could not be beat. Should it return some of the items it acquired at the height of the British Empire to the countries they were removed from? I don’t know. There are two sides to every story but after a visit to the Museum, I can certainly see why some countries want some items back. They have been incredibly preserved and taken care of and are priceless. Another reason it’s the best museum ever? You can take photos. I do love museums where you can take photos. It's a huge museum. The courtyard is beautiful as well.

Here are some of the items I saw that were on my favorite list:

Rosetta Stone: Stunning. One of the most important pieces of history ever. Discovered in 1799 it is of great importance because it broke the code of Egyptian hieroglyphics which had been lost over time. On the Rosetta Stone is the same paragraph/decree written in hieroglyphic, Egyptian script and Egyptian cursive. This allowed for the hieroglyphics to be translated again. Huge breakthrough. The Stone is broken and not complete. It's under glass and always surrounded by people so hard to get a great photo. Make sure you turn off your flash to try to cut down on the reflection. Stunning.

Cyrus Cylinder: The so-called Cyrus Cylinder is believed to be the first document on human rights. Dates to 539 B.C. and was an order issued by Cyrus the Great that states his respect for the religious and political traditions of his conquered lands (in this case Babylonia). Could be propoganda so take it for what it's worth.

Parthenon Sculptures: Date back to 5th Century B.C. HUGE room at the Museum containing a number of pieces from the Parthenon. This is also one of the controversial displays as Greece wants them back because they are an important part of their history. The Brit’s side is that if they would not have taken them, they would be destroyed like the rest of the Parthenon. Incredible pieces of history regardless.

Halikarnassos Mausoleum: One of seven wonders of the world. So important to see since so many of the wonders have been lost. There are several remnants of the tomb of Maussollos (where the word mausoleum comes from) who ruled Halikarnassos in 4th Century B.C.

Cleopatra’s Body: You see her mummy. Apparently, the modern day analysis they can do shows she was very attractive. The Museum has a very large Egypian collection. Several other mummies also on display as well as other items.

Amarna letters: Clay tablets of correspondence between Egypt and other kings and queens. They date back to 14th Century B.C.!

Crystal Skull: Saw the fake crystal skull (those who have seen the latest Indy movie will hear him talk about it). At first, the skull was thought to be an ancient artifact but over time it was found to be a hoax created with modern tools. Still cool to see.

Classicianus’ tombstone: The British minister appointed by the Roman emperor Nero. His tombstone dates back to 1st Century A.D.

Alexander the Great: Marble portrait of Alexander the Great which dates back to around 2nd Century B.C. Good looking guy.

Sutton Hoo Ship Burial: Anglo-Saxon burial tomb pieces which date back to 7th Century A.D.

Flood Tablet: Clay tablet telling the story of the Babylonian flood. Dates to 7th Century B.C.

Ramesses the Great: Bust of Ramesses II dating back to 1270 B.C. The Ramesses line were responsible for the construction of the pyramids.

Nereid Monument: Turkish tomb dating back to 390 B.C. It is believed to have been broken up by an earthquake and is put back together at the Museum in a way they think makes sense.

Assyrian Gateway Figures: Huge figures dating back to 710 B.C. Made of marble. Very big. Assyria is now in what we call Iraq. There are 5 at the British Museum and they adorned entrances and buildings. There are also several Assyrian reliefs at the Museum dating back to 7th Century B.C.

Easter Island: One of the Easter Island statues is at the Museum. Looks just like you think it will!

I spent several hours at the Museum and want to go back again some day. I had a list of things I wanted to see and that was really the only way you can tour the Museum in any kind of limited capacity. I hope to go back again and be able to really wander and see more of the treasures this Museum holds.

There are at least two different types of museum people:

- The sort that read every card and truly delve into the mysteries of the past. They ask deep questions and want to know history

- The sort that prefer to proceed quickly through and "see" everything, reading the cards for things that interest them, skipping entire rooms if the contents do not appeal.

If you are the later, as I am, do not schedule the in-person highlights tour. Do the audio highlights tour instead IMO. I did both tours in a recent visit to London. I found myself listening to an incredibly knowledgable guide (14 years at the museum) talk slowly through each nuance of a single piece of history. That is great, but I also about died when we walked by the Rosetta stone and saw 4 people in front of it. Yes, only 4. We were going in a specific order, so the fact that there would be 50 people later did not (nor should it have) phase our guide one bit.

So, we switched to the audio tour. It said the same thing (basically)! Wow, we were happy. We heard almost the same depth of knowledge, but could approach a piece of history, enter a number, hear the dialogue, then proceed quickly to the next artifact, even room.

We saw the entire museum in about 3 hours. We went to every room that was open, and listened to every "highlight". The museum is amazing and incredible. I especially like the occasional photos beside items of when they were preparing the item for shipment to Britain. It made it come alive that these items truly came from somewhere, and it took a lot to get them to England.

One hint, sometimes the audio tour line in the main lobby is huge. Go back by the Parthenon area and get the same headsets there with no line. You do need to leave photo ID to get a headset.

Absolutely marvelous stuff taken from places all over the world. My young daughter was underwhelmed. What was overwhelming was the crush of people present on the day of my visit, the crowds around the rosetta stone and all of the crying, screaming children who would rather have been someplace else. Guidebooks and your aunties will tell you that you HAVE to go to the British Museum. If you are travelling with small children, you don't.