It is often possible to identify Sasanian rulers by their distinctive personal crowns, as the representations are accompanied by their names on certain sculptures and coins. This king wears the crown of Shapur II (AD 309-79).
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The chess pieces consist of elaborately worked walrus ivory and whales' teeth in the forms of seated kings and queens, mitred bishops, knights on their mounts, standing warders and pawns in the shape of obelisks.
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One of the largest pieces of Egyptian sculpture in the British Museum, this statue shows Ramesses II, who succeeded his father Sethos I in around 1279 BC and ruled Egypt for 67 years.
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A valuable key to the decipherment of hieroglyphs, the inscription on the Rosetta Stone is a decree passed by a council of priests.
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Created for the British Museum's Multimedia Guide
sponsored by Korean Air
Frank Barnes Primary School students describe some of the key objects in the Museum.
