Student Bloggers

Currently Studying At: ARCADIA IN LONDON Summer 

Homeschool: The University of Texas at Austin

Beauty, chaos, and resilience hang in the air at The British Museum as the oldest artifacts in the world are on display for the entire world to see.

My eyes glazed across the old ruins and temples from all over the world. I visited Egypt, Greece, Africa, and parts of North America that I have never experienced before. Only a place like a great museum could let you travel so far in only a few hours.

The British Museum’s galleries hold a significance that goes beyond historical. All of the pieces of art have been torn apart (whether in bombings, by greedy archeologists, or by fallible humans who don’t know any better), but then put back together again. These pieces have been reconstructed and fit together to tell a story that was once thought lost to mankind. They have been preserved for us humans to intake for many more years to come. However, what does it mean to have things from so many cultures (ancient or otherwise) and from so many places? Is there a problem in looking at this work and not understanding a greater significance that would come if a native to that culture stares upon it behind this clear and magnified glass?

After my brisk walk through security, I shuffled into this pretty inconspicuous building. I wasn’t expecting to find such a magnificent white ballroom-esque room filled with winding staircases and different cafes and gift shops on every corner. I especially didn’t mean to find this in the smack dab middle of London. However, it kind of makes sense since the middle of London represents one of the biggest cultural mixing pots in the entire world. The museum sings these songs of cultures long forgotten, mixing together to form one big song that represents the cultures known to London.

Some people might even say that all of these cultures belong here because every culture has shaped London into what it has become. However, others have said that this could be considered taking advantage of another culture and profiting off of it for the English's own benefits. However, The British Museum is completely free and government-run so anyone, rich and poor, can visit the museum and learn about the cultures that make up the city. Because of this, the debate has been quelled for now to show the museum's ethical viewpoint of accessibility being more important than tourism even if many of the pieces in The British Museum are imported from other countries.

Once I caught my bearings, I had to buy a map to let myself easily get around the different winding corridors that get just a little too confusing once you start going one direction. The outdoor corridors were pretty loud and filled with kids running around checking out the numerous cafes and gift shops on the ground floor. The staff seemed pretty friendly and in the background as I moved throughout with their matching dark outfits that contrasted greatly with the mostly white great hall in the main room of the museum.

I was very happy to see multiple different guides such as audio guides, Braille guides, and large print guides for people who need them plus a small exhibit for kids who might need a little break from looking at ancient artifacts. I decided to just go the old fashion way, however, and take my time scrolling through the different aisles. It was very easy to get lost with the complicated floor plan and many floors that seem to kind of dead end in certain hallways. Although I wasn’t a fan of the floor plan, I do understand the complex nature of so many cultures in one building. There were more of some areas of the world than others, and they decided to pick and choose what went where the best.

One of my favorite aspects of this museum is the fact that the most popular exhibits, such as the Rosetta Stone, were in the middle of the floor so big groups of people could surround it on all sides. This really opened up space for people to see and for people to go around them to look at the rest of the exhibit.

Along with the room for big groups, there were plenty of benches for people who need to sit or even for people like me that love to sit and contemplate the art or artifact that I am looking at. I was able to sit down and stare at temples and sculptures for hours as I took in just how beautiful this ancient work is.

The museum is also very innovative. There are a couple of galleries that change with the season or year to welcome new exhibits that catch people’s interests. There is always a little something for everyone, and if there is not then they bring it into one of the temporary exhibits. 

I loved this museum way more than I thought I would going in, even though I started off with really high expectations. I would advise anyone that is thinking about going to be ready for hours of walking, make time to eat at one of the cafes, and save the money you were going to use for the entrance fee to buy yourself a nice souvenir from the multiple gift shops.

Go visit London’s British Museum daily during their scheduled hours.