The British Museum in London: A History of the World

The British Museum in London houses over 8 million objects, not only from the UK, but from around the world. If you're visiting, you could probably spend the whole day taking in exhibits, from The Rosetta Stone to the collection of classical antiquities of the Classical world--which boasts over 100,000 objects alone.

If you don't have a lot of time to spend at The British Museum, but want to see some of the main exhibits, it can be done, thanks to prepared and printable itineraries on the museum website. If you have just one hour, there are several must-see objects, including The Rosetta Stone, which was key to deciphering hieroglyphics.

Other important objects located on the ground floor with The Rosetta Stone, include Parthenon Sculptures from ancient Greece, and Assyria: Lion Hunts, which realistically illustrate lion hunts, which were the sport of kings in ancient Assyria. Many exhibits are encased in glass and its permissible to take photographs.

If you like chess, another recommendation for those in a time crunch is The Lewis Chessmen, the most famous chess set in the world. Located on the upper floor, the elaborate pieces of the chess set were fashioned from walrus ivory and whales' teeth. It was found on the Isle of Lewis, Outer Hebrides, Scotland, but was probably made in Norway about AD 1150-1200.

Also on the upper floor, is Oxus Treasure, The Royal Game of Ur, Mummy of Katebet, and Samurai Armour, which shows a medieval set of Japanese armour. There's one more stop if you have just an hour to visit, and that's the King of Lfe, the brass head of a ruler.

It was discovered in 1938 when workmen were digging foundations for a new house in Wunmonije in the city of lfe, in what is now Nigeria. The British Museum also has a three-hour itinerary, and one with exhibits that children might enjoy.

The British Museum got its start in the eighteenth century, thanks to Sir Hans Sloane (1660-1753) a physician, naturalist and collector, who had amassed 71,000 objects by the time he died. Sloane left a will, bequeathing the collection to King George II in return for a 20,000 pound payment to his heirs.

King George II accepted the gift, and an Act of Parliament established The British Museum in 1753; it opened to the public on January 15, 1759. The Museum is free to all and is open between 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.

Sources:
www.britishmuseum.org
personal experience