Room 51
Europe and Middle East
Visiting the gallery
Opening times
Daily: 10.00–17.00 (Fridays: 20.30)
See full opening hours
Advance booking advised
Gallery audio guides
Listen on the Audio app, available on the App Store and Google Play.
Farming began in the Middle East about 12,000 years ago, making possible social, cultural and economic changes that shaped the modern world.
When farming arrived in Britain about 6,000 years ago, it brought a new way of life. This change in lifestyle meant people competed for wealth, power and status, displaying these through jewellery, weapons and feasting.
The objects on display in Room 51 show how the people of prehistoric Europe celebrated life and death and expressed their relationship with the natural world, the spirit world and each other.
Take a virtual tour
In Room 51, see the breadth of objects which show how life changed from prehistoric times through to 800 BC, including the luxurious possessions which landowners used to display their wealth.
Highlights
Accessibility
- Some objects in this collection feature on the British Sign Language multimedia guide. This resource is temporarily unavailable. You can access a selection of BSL films on your own device.
- Some objects in this collection feature on the audio description guide, available on Soundcloud.
- Step-free access.
- View sensory map.
Visit Accessibility at the Museum for more information.
