Blog

Enjoy the latest news and stories from the British Museum.

Bookcase with objects, trinkets and books on shelves.
Exhibitions and events / 8 June 2026

Introduction to 'Korea'

Sang-ah Kim explores 2,000 years of Korean art, revealing how global connections have shaped Korea's cultural identity today.
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Wooden cross made from pieces of a boat, with blue scuffs on the horizontal joint and yellow paint on the vertical joint.
Exhibitions and events / 11 June 2021

The Lampedusa cross

Keeper Jill Cook takes a closer look at an object in the collection which explores ideas of refuge and community.
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Three cats on a bench outside the British Museum
Museum stories / 7 June 2021

14 of my favourite items from the British Museum Archive

Archivist Francesca Hillier reveals her favourite items from the archive, and the stories they tell about the Museum and the collection.
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Bronze head of Nero facing left.
Exhibitions and events / 24 May 2021

10 questions about the emperor Nero… and some curious answers

The name Nero is synonymous with tyranny, but what do we really know about the infamous Roman emperor? Mary Beard searches for the truth.
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Four knights murder Thomas Becket in Canterbury Cathedral with swords. Becket is on his knees.
Exhibitions and events / 21 May 2021

Thomas Becket and Magna Carta

Nicholas Vincent, Professor of Medieval History, reveals a surprising link between Thomas Becket and the 1225 reissue of Magna Carta. 
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Detail of red-figured bell-krater (wine-bowl) with Orestes kneeling beside the omphalos and tripod, flanked by standing standing figures
Objects in focus / 7 May 2021

Gods and goddesses of the Greek and Roman pantheon

Discover who’s who in the ancient Greek and Roman pantheon, through objects in the collection that reveal the stories of gods and goddess.
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Marble bust of Nero with black background
Exhibitions and events / 22 April 2021

Who was Nero?

Nero is one of Rome's most infamous rulers, notorious for his cruelty, debauchery and eccentricity. Does history reflect the real Nero?
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Carved alabaster panel depicting Thomas Becket kneeling before an altar surrounded by knights, with two swords at his head.
Exhibitions and events / 22 April 2021

Who killed Thomas Becket?

Discover more about the shocking murder of Thomas Becket, Archbishop of Canterbury, in 1170, and the perpetrators of this notorious crime.
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Hand-carved Queen chess piece
Museum stories / 16 March 2021

The Queen's Gambit: how the Lewis Chessmen won the world over

The Queen’s Gambit made the world chess mad but medieval Europe was ahead of the game with what became the world’s most famous chess pieces.
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Picture of scientist in front of X-ray equipment with Discobolus statue in the background
Museum stories / 12 March 2021

Secrets from the X-ray lab

We journey deep underground to the Museum's X-ray lab with Scientist Dan O'Flynn to take a look at six objects, seeing what can be revealed.
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Black and white photo of seated woman, holding folder and document
Museum stories / 8 March 2021

Pioneering women

Museum staff pick female pioneers in their fields. From archaeologists to printmakers, discover the stories behind these inspiring women.
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Full set of ivory chess pieces on a red and gold board.
Objects in focus / 26 February 2021

Top 10 historical board games

Discover 10 fascinating board games that have entertained people across the millennia, from chess and mahjong to the Royal Game of Ur.
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Sophie Rowe with tool in hand working on conservation of object in the studio
Museum stories / 24 February 2021

What's it like being a woman working in the arts?

Women working at the Museum shed light on their specialisms, career trajectories and the inspirational power of Rachel Weisz.
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