Study room

The study room is open weekdays 10.00-13.00 and 14.15-16.00.

If you wish to work on objects in the department's collections, please apply to the keeper in writing 48 hours in advance, with the correct references to the catalogue or register numbers of the relevant objects. You must provide a letter of introduction or other reference from a professor, tutor or other qualified person and show evidence of identity on arrival.

Storage space in the study room is limited, so the number of antiquities that can be brought in at any one time may have to be reduced. Please give us an indication of the length of your stay, and let us know if you cannot make your appointment. You must sign for all of the objects you study in the Issue Book; a member of staff will sign for them when you bring them back. You must do this if you leave the department for any reason, and please let a member of staff know if you are about to leave the study room.

Rubbings, squeezes and tracings are not normally allowed, but applications may be made to the keeper or duty officer for exceptions. The British Museum can provide squeezes and casts of objects, but a charge will be made. Please do not use metal drawing or measuring tools. You may take photographs for study purposes on the condition that you take great care in handling and setting up the objects and do not inconvenience the other visitors. If you wish to reproduce your photographs you must apply to the keeper for permission: the British Museum normally insists that its own photographs are used for publications.

We cannot accept any responsibility for personal possessions left in the department at any time. We reserve the right to search any personal bags or containers that visitors bring into the department.

In the case of an emergency, you must follow instructions issued by museum staff at all times.