Blog

Enjoy the latest news and stories from the British Museum.

A circular high ceilinged room with pillars around it and a statue in the middle

Museum stories / 7 January 2026

CSMVS and the British Museum: a new model of co-curation

Discover how museums in Mumbai and London are re-examining India's place in the ancient world through bold new exhibitions and co-curation.

Illustration of a group of prehistoric humans gathered around an active campfire during the evening.

Museum stories / 10 December 2025

Blazing a trail: the world's oldest known fire-making

Discover how recent excavations have uncovered evidence for one of the most important milestones in human history, the ability to make fire.

A close up of a section of a feathered Hawai'ian cloak showing yellow and black crescent shaped sections on a red background.

Exhibitions and events / 29 September 2025

What's on at the British Museum in 2025/26?

Discover our upcoming exhibitions from a dazzling celebration of Hawaiʻi to encounters with Japan's samurai and the iconic Bayeux Tapestry.

A section of an ancient Egyptian papyrus with hieroglyphs and mathematical diagrams including triangles.

Museum stories / 1 September 2025

Learn maths like an Egyptian: the secrets of the Rhind Mathematical Papyrus

Discover the fascinating maths problems found in this 3,500-year-old papyrus and what they reveal about ancient Egyptian life.

A hand gloved in a plastic blue glove and with a gold link bracelet, holds a small glass test-tube with liquid inside and cotton wool poking out the top

Museum stories / 9 July 2025

Metal protector: Celebrating 50 years of the Oddy test

Fifty years ago, the Oddy test changed how museums protect and display objects forever. Find out how it works and why it's still used today.

Nicholas Cullinan wears a hi-vis vest and hard hat and stands on the roof of the British Museum. The glass roof of the Great Court is visible on the left and to the right, the pediment of the facade.

Museum stories / 11 June 2025

My first 12 months as Director of the British Museum

Eight million objects. 6.5 million visitors. 1,000 staff. Nicholas Cullinan reflects on his first 12 months in post.

Black and white photograph of the Central Saloon with shattered display cases and debris, and in the centre a Buddha still sitting.

Museum stories / 7 May 2025

The British Museum and the Blitz: eight days to evacuate

On the 80th anniversary of VE Day, discover how the Museum kept the world's most precious objects safe from destruction in World War Two.

Detail from a plan of the Round reading room showing Ladies' tables shaded in colourful areas

Museum stories / 11 April 2025

The first women at the British Museum

From the suffragettes to the first women employees, discover the women who led the way at the British Museum.

Handwoven basketry hat in a straw colour with a darker graphic pattern and crosses

Museum stories / 7 March 2025

Singing the somelelu home: reawakening Chumash basketry

After 230 years away, a basketry hat was welcomed home by the Chumash in California for an exhibition marking a historic anniversary.

A black badge with Freddie Mercury in a colourful waistcoat on it and a red AIDS ribbon, next to a badge that has a large red banner with the words GAY PRIDE '08. Two other badges are visible, one with red text on white background and another with red text on a yellow background.

Museum stories / 19 February 2025

Wearing our Pride: four community reflections on LGBTQIA+ badges

Once pinned to lapels and backpacks, these badges are records of defining moments in LGBTQIA+ history.

Ykaruni Nawa wears a colourful headband and earrings adorned with colourful feathers

Museum stories / 4 February 2025

From Amazonia to the world: retelling the Nawa story

For Ykaruni Nawa, documenting objects from Brazil's Juruá River is an essential step in retelling the Nawa story from the Nawa perspective.

Conservators work in the Hirayama studio with scrolls and artworks in front of them, surrounded by wooden boards and red lacquer tables

Museum stories / 2 October 2024

One of a kind: the Hirayama Conservation Studio

Step inside the Hirayama Studio as it celebrates 30 years conserving East Asian masterpieces on paper and silk in a unique space.

A cartonnage coffin covered in gold and blue pigment, with magnets applying pressure in places.

Museum stories / 10 May 2024

A 3D puzzle: conserving the Aswan cartonnage

Conservators took on the challenge of conserving a rare 2,300-year-old coffin. Four years later, the Aswan cartonnage is on display.