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Blog

Enjoy the latest news and stories from the British Museum.

A Greek pot in black and terracotta with scenes of women in a garden, graphic designs, a fluted neck and handles

Museum stories / 24 November 2023

History's most famous pot: the Meidias hydria

As the 'Meidias hydria' leaves London for the first time in 250 years, we trace the story of the life of this exceptional ancient Greek pot.

Athenian stamnos, men at a symposion,Greek, 450–440 BC, 861x1024

Museum stories / 18 June 2020

Cook a classical feast: nine recipes from ancient Greece and Rome

Bored with banana bread? Whip up a classical feast with nine recipes from ancient Greece and Rome.

Detail from drawing showing view of temple columns, travellers on camels passing through to foreground

Museum stories / 12 June 2020

Historical city travel guide: Thebes, Egypt, 13th century BC

Time-travel to this ancient Egyptian city under the rule of Ramesses II and enjoy impressive monuments, delicious food and lively festivals.

Expanse of obscured black words

News / 5 June 2020

A message from Director Hartwig Fischer

‘The British Museum stands in solidarity with the Black community throughout the world. Black Lives Matter.’ From Director Hartwig Fischer.

A ship being carried by a pair of hands emerging from the ocean towards land on which two silhouetted figures can be seen.

News / 3 June 2020

Bonnie Greer: what we have saved from the fire

Following the killing of George Floyd, playwright and former Museum Trustee Bonnie Greer explores the ideas of trauma and reclamation.

Print of the ancient temple seen from below, with houses before it and two bearded figures among ruins in the foreground

Museum stories / 29 May 2020

Historical city travel guide: Athens, 5th century BC

Visit Greece's most famous ancient city 2,500 years ago – from festivals and plays to drinking parties, shopping and local delicacies.

Colour woodblock oban triptych print, depicting elegantly dressed travellers waiting at tea-stall at Katase Beach, snow-capped Mt Fuji in distance

Museum stories / 22 May 2020

Historical city travel guide: Edo (Tokyo), early 19th century

Journey back to 19th-century Japan, as curator Alfred Haft reveals the unmissable sights, cuisine and best places to stay in Edo (Tokyo).

Close up of mummy in cartonnage and open wooden coffin

News / 20 May 2020

Ancient Egyptian coffins and mystery of ‘black goo’

Several ancient Egyptian coffins and mummy cases have been found covered in a mysterious 'black goo'. Dr Kate Fulcher tells us more.

Watercolour depicting fluted Doric colonnade to left with portico beyond facing large open square, hill beyond with towers and rooftops visible

Museum stories / 15 May 2020

Historical city travel guide: Rome, 1st century AD

From exhilarating chariot races to spectacular baths, travel back 2,000 years to sample the vibrant world of Roman Empire's capital city.

Print of a large blue wave with lots of white spray, with a couple of boats in the water in the foreground and a view of Mt Fuji in the background.

Objects in focus / 10 May 2020

The Great Wave: spot the difference

Scientific researcher Capucine Korenberg explores what subtle changes in impressions and design can tell us about Hokusai's masterpiece.

Two banks of river, city buildings along furthest bank, boats on the water

Museum stories / 7 May 2020

Historical city travel guide: Nineveh, 7th century BC

Journey back over 2,600 years to the Assyrian capital city. Check out the best sights, shopping, entertainment and local delicacies.

A conservator uses a small brush to in-paint repair fills on a marble sarcophagus, depicting scenes from the story of Achilles.

Museum stories / 5 May 2020

100 years of science and conservation: recent conservation highlights

From Michelangelo to mirror caskets, our conservators share the projects they're working on.

Selection of fake upright figurines, arranged similarly to a family grouping

News / 5 May 2020

Fake antiquities made for unsuspecting collectors

Discover the Museum's role in uncovering fake antiquities and a particular Heathrow consignment that raised suspicions.