The Pitt Rivers Museum displays the archaeological and anthropological collections of the University of Oxford. This museum is located to the east of the Oxford University Museum of Natural History, and can only be accessed through that building.
The Pitt Rivers Museum is known for its vast and diverse collection, which encompasses over 500,000 artefacts from around the world. These objects represent different cultures and time periods, offering insights into human history, cultural practices, and material culture. The museum’s exhibits span a wide range of disciplines, including archaeology, ethnography, art, and technology.
What's the Pitt Rivers Museum?
The Pitt Rivers Museum displays the archaeological and anthropological collections of the University of Oxford. This museum is located to the east of the Oxford University Museum of Natural History, and can only be accessed through that building.
The museum was founded in 1884 by Augustus Pitt Rivers, an English officer, ethnologist and archaeologist born in 1827. Rivers donated his private collection to the University of Oxford with one condition: That he was appointed a permanent lecturer in anthropology. A second stipulation was added in the Deed of Gift: that a building would be provided to house the collection. This building could not be used for no other purpose. The original donation consisted of approximately 22,000 objects.
The Building
The building that houses the museum is an architectural gem itself, featuring a unique design with a glass roof and ironwork. It is located adjacent to the Oxford University Museum of Natural History, and visitors often explore both museums during their visit.
Why Should You Visit the Pitt Rivers Museum?
What makes the Pitt Rivers Museum unique is its distinctive display method. Rather than arranging objects by geographical or chronological order, the museum follows a thematic approach.
Exhibits are organized based on categories such as religion, clothing, food, music, and more. This unconventional display method allows visitors to make cross-cultural comparisons and explore the similarities and differences in human practices and beliefs.
The museum’s collection includes a diverse array of items, including tools, weapons, textiles, musical instruments, masks, pottery, jewelry, and ceremonial objects. Notable highlights include the shrunken heads from South America, a totem pole from North America, a Maori meeting house from New Zealand, and numerous other intriguing artifacts from cultures across the globe.
Visiting the Pitt Rivers Musem
The Pitt Rivers Museum is highly regarded as one of the world’s leading anthropological museums, offering visitors a fascinating and immersive experience that sheds light on the diversity of human cultures and their material expressions.
Visitors to the Pitt Rivers Museum have the opportunity to engage with the exhibits through interactive displays, audio guides, and educational activities. The museum also hosts temporary exhibitions, lectures, workshops, and cultural events related to anthropology and archaeology.
Website: https://www.prm.ox.ac.uk/
Address: Parks Rd, Oxford OX1 3PW
Phone: 01865 270927
