Millions tune in for first episode of The Museum

More than two million people tuned in to BBC2 on Thursday 10 May to see the first episode of The Museum, the ten-part series that takes a look at life behind the scenes at the British Museum.

The half hour show recorded the channel's highest viewing figures of the night with an audience of 2.7 million people.

Called 'Taking care of the past', the programme took viewers into the Museum's stone workshops to see the conservation of the ancient Egyptian paintings from the tomb of Nebamun. It also introduced them the bronze sculpture of a youth who became affectionately known as 'Charlie' to staff in the Conservation team.

Filmed over the past year, the series gives a fascinating behind the scenes account of the Museum's work in London, the UK and throughout the world.

The second episode, which went out on Thursday 17 May told the stories behind some of the 8,000 human remains in the Museum collection, including the Lindow Man. We see how changing attitudes have led to greater awareness of the sensitivities of indigenous people, and witness the historic return of aboriginal ash bundles to Tasmania.

As well as receiving lots of media coverage and featuring in a number of national newspaper Pick of the Day selections, the series has clearly already caught the imagination of the viewing public. By 10 am the next day after the first episode, the Museum's Department of Conservation, Documentation and Science had already received enquiries asking how to train to be a conservator.

More information about The Museum