Department of Africa, Oceania and the Americas 

You can search for information and images about objects from the Africa, Oceania and the Americas collection on Collection online.

• The Africa, Oceania and the Americas (AOA) collections are stored at two locations – the British Museum and Franks House. Please note that Franks House remains closed to the public until further notice.
• You can make an appointment to see objects from the AOA collections at our study room on the British Museum main site.
• To make an appointment to visit this study room, please complete our study room application form and email it to [email protected]
• To ensure the safety of all visitors and staff, face coverings are strongly recommended when entering and leaving the study rooms, but can be removed when seated. Please wash your hands before and after your study sessions using the facilities provided. Hand sanitiser is located throughout spaces where washing facilities are not readily available. Please do not visit if you feel unwell or have COVID-19 symptoms. Group visits are now possible.
• The study rooms may close at short notice due to staff illness or isolation requirements. We apologise in advance should this be necessary.
• The study room located on the British Museum main site is open from 10.00–17.00 on Tuesdays to Thursdays. 
• This study room is closed in November every year.
• The Franks House study room is located on Orsman Road in Hackney, London. It remains closed to the public until further notice.
• Visit our Study rooms page for general information. 

About the library

The Anthropology Library and Research Centre (ALRC) includes the Museum's Anthropology Library, which is one of the world's major specialist anthropology libraries. It offers access to extensive information around ethnographic collections and an object identification service.

It was formed when the Museum's Ethnography library and the library of the Royal Anthropological Institute (the Museum's Anthropology Library) combined. It now contains more than 130,000 volumes and resources covering all aspects of anthropology with particular strength in material culture. Existing materials cover the whole world and continue to grow through the collection of global materials.

The library is renowned for its extensive journal collection of more than 1,500 current periodical subscriptions, forming a part of over 4,000 total titles held. Journal holdings further form the basis of the Anthropological Index Online produced by the Royal Anthropological Institute. A close relationship with the Institute continues to help grow the collection through an extensive network of journal exchange agreements.

The library's collection of rare books dates to the 16th century and is a combination of rare books from the Royal Anthropological Institute and the Museum's former Ethnography library. A significant proportion of these volumes were also sourced from Henry Christy, a Victorian industrialist who donated his library to the Museum in 1865. Christy's library focused greatly on travel, especially the European exploration and settlement of countries in Africa, North and South America, Asia, and Oceania in the 18th and 19th centuries.

Using the library 

The Anthropology Library and Research Centre is located inside the Montague Street entrance to the Museum.

Opening hours:

• The ALRC is open from 10.00–17.00 on Mondays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Fridays; from 12.00–17.00 on Thursdays.
• It's closed on weekends and public holidays – check the British Museum library catalogue for up-to-date closure information.

Library entry:

• The library is open to the public for reference and research.
• Photographic ID will be required on all visits and is required for Reader Registration in order to use the library.
• Fellows of the Royal Anthropological Institute are eligible to borrow books and access digital research resources once they have registered as a Reader in the Anthropology Library.

Searching the library collection:

• The library's catalogue is available online and also via COPAC.
• The library subscribes to a wide variety of digital research resources and journals that are available to all readers onsite at the Museum.

Facilities:

• There are more than 25 study places.
• Wifi and power outlets are available throughout the library.
• A photocopier is available for photocopying, scanning and sending documents:
  • Photocopying costs 10p per A4 or A3 page. 
  • Please check with staff before photocopying oversize or pre-1914 material.
• Flash-free photography of library collections material is welcome for private or for research use.

We welcome visits by indigenous communities to our collections. Please contact us at [email protected] should you have any special requirements concerning your visit, so that we can accommodate requests in the most appropriate way.

Main galleries:
Room 24 – Living and Dying (The Wellcome Trust Gallery)
Room 25 – Africa (The Sainsbury Galleries)
Room 26 – North America
Room 27 – Mexico

The Africa, Oceania and the Americas collections can also be seen in:
Room 1 – Enlightenment
Room 2 – Collecting the world
Room 68 – Money

The Department of Africa, Oceania and the Americas provides an object identification service. Through this, we offer opinions on objects held by members of the public.

If you have any questions about our identification service, please email the department at [email protected] in advance of your visit so a member of staff can advise. 

Please note:

• We can't provide valuations or certificates of authentication – if you require this advice, please consult a dealer or auctioneer.
• Neither the Trustees of the British Museum nor members of staff can accept liability for opinions given on objects submitted for examinations, or for information provided.
• The British Museum supports international efforts aimed at preventing damage to archaeological sites and the illicit trade in cultural objects.
• We cannot, therefore, give an opinion on objects made and/or found outside the United Kingdom where the provenance is uncertain or contrary to national or international law.

Read more about the object identification service.

• Please email [email protected] to arrange an object identification appointment. 
• The service is free, but no more than 10 objects can be shown at one time.

• If requests are made electronically, digital images should be sent to [email protected].
• All images should be clear enough that any lettering and detail is legible, but individual emails should not exceed 2MB.
• Please indicate when and how the objects came into your possession.