Department of Prehistory and Europe
The Department of Prehistory and Europe is responsible
for collections that cover a vast expanse of time from the earliest
human tools in Africa and Asia two million years ago to the art and
archaeology of Europe from the earliest times to the present day,
including the history of Britain under Roman
occupation.
Curators in the department are experts on a wide variety of
subjects from areas such as Palaeolithic Archaeology (Old Stone
Age) in Europe and around the world, Neolithic (New Stone Age),
Bronze Age and Iron Age Archaeology in Europe and Roman
Britai
n. Specialists
cover many aspects of Medieval, Renaissance and Modern European
culture, including twentieth century design from North America.
The department currently has eleven galleries displaying
highlights from its collections. As well as exhibitions, we are
involved in a wide range of research, excavations and publications
and also actively communicate with the public through radio and
television programmes and the new media.
Staff are engaged in helping members of the public with
enquiries, the identification of objects and scholarly research. An
important part of the department's work is connected with finds of
Treasure from England and supporting the work of the Portable
Antiquities Scheme.