What to See at the British Museum

The Rosetta Stone is a famous stone tablet. Thanks to it, modern humans were able to unlock ancient Egyptian hieroglyphics. Pretty important, then. So, it's no surprise that it's the most visited exhibit in the museum. The stone is carved with ancient Greek, hieroglyphics and demotic Egyptian. Originally discovered by French soldiers in 1799, it later passed into the hands of the British. And now it's in our museum. Yeah.

In Assyria, lion hunting was a mark of kingly prowess. And many Assyrian alabaster panels in the museum tell the tale of King Ashurbanipal's exploits. Discovered in 1853 by Assyrian archaeologist Homuzd Rassam, the stunning depictions are eerily realistic. And, while they may be an animal activist's nightmare, there's no denying the superb craftsmanship.

These stunning sculptures have long been at the centre of controversy. Originally built to honour the goddess Athena, Lord Elgin...acquired...them from the Greek Parthenon in the 19th Century. Still, the collection of intricate marbles catalysed a fascination with classical Greece in Europe. So much so that the British Museum purchased them in 1816. Much to the Greek government's understandable dismay.

This red granite statue was one of many commissions by King Amenhotep III. The head alone weighs an incredible 3600 kilograms. Imagine how much the entire statue once weighed. Discovered in the Temple of Mut, it was acquired by British archaeologist Henry Salt in a Cairo warehouse. It's believed that the face, originally of Amenhotep III, was recarved to resemble proceeding King Rameses II. Now that's what we call a retcon.

This helmet is only one of four intact helmets from Anglo-Saxon England. It was discovered at the Sutton Hoo ship burial, one of the most important British archaeological sites. It's believed to have been part of a king or rich noble's collection. Unfortunately, restoring the helmet to its current glory was difficult as it had shattered. It was later reconstructed to reveal its imposing mask and distinctive shape. Marvellous!

1. The British Museum is the oldest national public museum in the world, having been founded in 1753 and opening its doors to the public in 1759.

2. The museum's collection includes over 8 million works, making it one of the largest and most comprehensive collections in the world.

3. Among the museum's most famous holdings are the Elgin Marbles, which were removed from the Parthenon in Athens in the early 19th century and shipped to England by Thomas Bruce, 7th Lord Elgin.

4. The museum's iconic Reading Room, which opened in 1857, was used by famous figures such as Karl Marx, Virginia Woolf, and Mahatma Gandhi.

5. The British Museum is one of the most visited tourist attractions in the world, welcoming over 6 million visitors every year.

The vast halls of the British Museum contain a treasure trove of over 8 million historical artefacts and works of art. Within its iconic neoclassical facade, visitors can get lost wandering through galleries filled with ancient wonders. See Greek and Roman sculptures that transport you back to antiquity. Gaze upon the intricately painted sarcophagi of Egyptian mummies and marvel at the mysteries of ancient civilizations.

Don't miss viewing the museum's most famous objects - the mystical Rosetta Stone, the elegant Parthenon Marbles from Athens, and masterpieces by Rembrandt and Michelangelo. For any lover of art, archaeology and the thrilling stories of the past, an exploration of the British Museum's collections is a profoundly enriching experience. 

So, there you have it. That's our list of the best things to see at the British National Museum in the UK. Now, you should have no trouble getting all of it in during a single visit.

Looking for more culture in London? See the history of astronomy unfold at the Royal Observatory or take a walk around St. Paul's Cathedral.