The British Museum
Explore / Galleries
Discovering the world in the 18th century
eyeOpener gallery tour / Free / Daily, 12.30–13.10
The Enlightenment was an age of reason and learning that flourished across Europe and America from about 1680 to 1820. This rich and diverse permanent exhibition uses thousands of objects to demonstrate how people in Britain understood their world during this period. It is housed in the King’s Library, the former home of the library of King George III.
The Piranesi Vase, 18th century More information about this object
The Piranesi Vase, 18th century
Bronze container for cosmetic items, Charles Townley's cista mystica 3rd century BCMore information about this object More information about religion and ritual
Bronze container for cosmetic items; Charles Townley's cista mystica 3rd century BC
Replica of a Maori hand club AD 1772 More information about this object More information about trade and discovery
Replica of a Maori hand club AD 1772
Pointed flint handaxe, Gray's Inn Hand Axe, about 350,000 years old More information about this object More information about the birth of archaeology
Pointed flint handaxe, Gray's Inn Hand Axe, about 350,000 years old
Bronze figure of Jupiter 2nd century AD More information about this object More information about art and civilisation
Bronze figure of Jupiter 2nd century AD
Medals of the kings and queens of England by Jean Dassier AD 1731 More information about this object More information about classifying the world
Medals of the kings and queens of England by Jean Dassier AD 1731
The Fenton Vase AD 600-800 More information about this object More information about ancient scripts
The Fenton Vase AD 600-800
Hans Sloane, Natural History of Jamaica, a book AD 1707 and 1725 More information about this object More information about the natural world
Hans Sloane, Natural History of Jamaica, a book AD 1707 and 1725
Objects on display reveal the way in which collectors, antiquaries and travellers during this great age of discovery viewed and classified objects from the world around them.
The displays provide an introduction to the Museum and its collections, showing how our understanding of the world of nature and human achievement has changed over time.
The Enlightenment Gallery is divided into seven sections that explore the seven major new disciplines of the age: Religion and ritual, Trade and discovery, the birth of archaeology, Art history, Classification, the decipherment of ancient scripts and Natural history. It was opened in 2003 to celebrate the 250th anniversary of the British Museum.
Fifth anniversary celebrations
See this gallery on the floor plan
More information about the King's Library
The gallery is divided into seven sections that explore the seven major new disciplines of the age:
Religion and ritual Trade and discovery The birth of archaeology Art and civilisation Classifying the world Ancient scripts The natural world
Colossal marble foot
Audio description tour
The Fountain of the Innocents, £50.00
Explore the cultures of the world in UK museums on the World Timelines website.
