Explore the collection

Get closer to the British Museum collection and immerse yourself in two million years of history, across six continents.

Collection online allows access to almost five million objects in more than two million records. High definition images can be enlarged and examined in detail which will enable you to view the incredible workmanship on the Royal Game of Ur, or the intricate carving on this African hunting horn – just a few of the thousands of highlights to discover. 

Enjoy exploring the collection – from some of the earliest objects created by humankind to works by contemporary artists. Or choose from the curated collections below, which reveal the fascinating stories that transcend time.

  • Desire, love and identity
  • Africa
  • China
Explore the galleries

Collection highlights

Mummy-mask
coffin-priest-hornedjitef-thebes-mummies-british-museum
Statue-of- Ramesses-II-egyptian-sculpture-gallery-british-museum
OIP (5)
OIP (6)

Animals

 
Explore the many wild and wonderful depictions of animals found in the Museum’s collection.

China

China is one of the world’s oldest civilizations and home to a quarter of the world’s population.

Africa

Delve into the Museum’s stories from Africa.

Desire, love and identity

Love and desire is a theme found across the Museum’s collection.

Egypt


Some of the British Museum’s best-known Collection items come from Egypt each with their own unique story.