British Museum

The British Museum displays enormous collections of antiquities from all over the world. The museum's collections vary from prehistorically, the bronze and iron ages through to the 20th century. However, one of the British Museum's main features impressed me most namely the gallery exhibiting the Egyptian Mummies. Here you will find probably the largest collection of mummies and sarcophagi outside Egypt.

When we visited the British Museum, several parts were closed for the public. It would appear that they were changing the exhibitions in these areas. :+( But hey, that means there will be more to explore the next time we visit.

I was gob smacked when I saw Lindow Man, the mummified body of a 25 year old man who lived in Lindow Moss (North West England) in the mid 1st century AD. His body was found in a peat bog by some workmen in 1984. A team of experts have researched his body and came to the conclusion that Lindow Man was murdered in a horrific manner, in first instance his skull was smashed by blows from a heavy object, then strangled with a cord. When he was probably dead, they also cut his throat and let him bleed for a while. Before Lindow man died he had drunk a drink containing Mistletoe and other plants. It is believed that the man was killed by Druids as Mistletoe was sacred to them and Druids also carried out human sacrifices.

As I already said before, I was most impressed by the collection of mummies and sarcophaguses. Most likely this has to do with the fact that the mummies have always intrigued me and that it is still a miracle how they could build the pyramids with such accuracy while they did not have the tools and equipment we have.

By the way, did you know that several scenes from the movie 'The Mummy Returns were filmed in the museum and several other parts of London?

In addition to the above, there are several objects that deserve your special attention, like the Portland vase and several works of important artists like Michelangelo, Raphael and Rembrandt. You can also find collections of coins, medals, prints and drawings, clocks and watches.

When walking around, I was amazed by the amount of items on display. And all this was taken away from the originating countries... hmmmm... But then, I think that is something you see in all the countries that used to have colonies all around the world.

For more information visit the website of the British Museum.

The entrance is free. However, with the London Pass you get free access to the temporary exhibitions you normally have to pay for. As you also might want to visit other attractions in London you might be interested in the London Pass, offering you free access to over 60 of them.