A treasure house of human civilization: A tour of the five most representative collections of the British Museum

The British Museum is located in London and is one of the most prestigious museums in the world. Since its establishment in 1753, it has been famous for its huge collection and collections spanning multiple civilizations around the world. The following are five representative collections that are not only the treasures of the British Museum, but also important witnesses of human history.

1. Rosetta Stone

Introduction: Discovered in 1799, it is the key to modern linguistics from ancient Egypt. It is engraved with three scripts: ancient Egyptian hieroglyphics, cursive script, and ancient Greek, which helped scholars finally decipher the hieroglyphics.

Significance: Known as the “golden key to decoding ancient Egyptian civilization”, it is a major breakthrough in linguistics and archaeology.

2. Easter Island Statue, Hoa Hakananai’a

Introduction: A giant stone statue from Easter Island, a mysterious symbol of Polynesian culture.

Meaning: Represents the beliefs and stone carving techniques of ancient Pacific Islanders, and symbolizes the exchange and isolation of ocean-going cultures.

3. Elgin Marbles

Introduction: The carved reliefs originally belonged to the Parthenon in Athens and were brought back to the UK by the Earl of Elgin, the British ambassador to the Ottoman Empire.

Controversy: This collection still causes disputes between Greece and the UK, and is a core case of cultural repatriation.

4. Tang Dynasty Tri-colour Glazed Camel

Introduction: A representative work of Tang Dynasty tri-colour pottery, showing the important role of merchants on the Silk Road.

Significance: It shows the prosperity of East-West trade during the heyday of the Tang Dynasty and also reflects the superb skills of Chinese ceramic art.

5. Assyrian Lion Hunt Reliefs

Introduction: Wall relief from the Nineveh Palace, depicting the Assyrian King Ashurbanipal hunting a lion.

Significance: It reflects the royal symbol and artistic style of the ancient Near Eastern Empire and is a portrayal of the glorious period of the Assyrian Empire.

The British Museum not only houses the most brilliant heritage of various civilizations, but also carries history, power, controversy and glory. Behind every artifact is a story that spans time and space. Whether it is the origin of language, the rise and fall of empires, or the collision of cultures, they all quietly tell the past and future of mankind.