To celebrate Vikings Live, we have replaced our Roman alphabet with the runic alphabet used by the Vikings, the Scandinavian ‘Younger Futhark’. The ‘Younger Futhark’ has only 16 letters, so we have used some of the runic letters more than once or combined two runes for one Roman letter.

For an excellent introduction to runes, we recommend Martin Findell’s book published by British Museum Press.

More information about how we have ‘runified’ this site

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The British Museum

Donate an object

Longquan stoneware incense burner, China, 12th-13th century AD. Part of the Percival David Collection of Chinese Ceramics.
Inuinnait ulu knife made and donated by Adam Kudlak.
Gold Royal Geographical Society medal, awarded to Captain Scott in 1904. Acquired through the Acceptance in Lieu Scheme.
Jimmy Pike, Murungurrwarnti, 1985, screenprint on white wove paper. Donated by Gordon Darling.

Donate an object to the Museum

The British Museum is very grateful to those who donate objects to its collection and under the UK’s Cultural Gifts Scheme, tax reduction is available for income tax, capital gains or corporation tax liabilities when donating an object to the British Museum.

Acceptance in Lieu

The Acceptance in Lieu scheme enables UK tax payers to transfer important works of art and other heritage objects to the nation while paying Inheritance Tax, or one of its earlier forms. The taxpayer is given the full open market of the item, which, if appropriate, is then allocated to the Museum.

Acquisitions

The Trustees of the British Museum are obliged to make sure that every acquisition is in line with its policy, and that we have the resources to conserve and store donated objects appropriately. If the Museum cannot accommodate your gift, it may be able to suggest an alternative recipient.