FINDING FRANKS: Augustus Wollaston Franks and the British Museum (1851-97) - Some lesser known sources
Marjorie Caygill
Thursday 27 February 2020
6-7 pm, UCL Institute of Archaeology Room 209

Chronicling the life of British Museum Keeper Augustus Wollaston Franks and his importance to the history of the Museum.

From Shells to Ivory: Hugh Nevill's colonial collecting in Sri Lanka
1 May 2019, 6-7pm
Room 612, UCL Institute of Archaeology

Sushma Jansari (The British Museum) will discuss the life of Hugh Nevill, a 19th century collector of artefacts from Sri Lanka. Some of Nevill's collection is now held in the British Museum.

​Meira Gold (Cambridge) discusses the role of geology in early Egyptology through mid-19th century excavations at Memphis and Heliopolis.

Disruptors & Innovators: Journeys in gender equality at UCL
until February 2019
Daily, 9am - 7pm
Octagon Gallery, University College London

An exhibition highlighting key women at UCL in the 19th and 20th centuries and their activities, including suffrage and Egyptology.  

Admission free. Further details here.

Rodin and the art of ancient Greece
until 29 July 2018
The British Museum
Bloomsbury, London

An exhibition on how the art of classical Greece, particularly the Parthenon Marbles at the British Museum, influenced the work of late 19th century French sculptor Auguste Rodin.

​Tickets required; webpage here.

From skull measurements to ancient DNA: putting John Thurnam’s collection of antiquities in their prehistoric and archaeological context
24 April 2018, 6-7pm
Room 209, UCL Institute of Archaeology

Neil Wilkin (The British Museum) explores the life and intellectual context of 19th century antiquarian and physician John Thurnam, whose collection of artefacts relating to the prehistory of Britain was sold after his death to the British Museum. Through his interest in ancient human remains, he drew conclusions about race and identity; a history that reflects an enduring interest in the DNA of ancient peoples and how that interest ties into modern concerns.

Neil Wilkin's blog post discussing various strands of the talk can be found here.

In the footsteps of maverick Orientalists: Exploring the Royal Asiatic Society Archive

13 March 2018, 6-7pm
Room 209, UCL Institute of Archaeology

Nancy Charley (RAS archivist) and Ed Weech (RAS Librarian) discuss key British Orientalists: Thomas Manning (1772-1840); Sir Richard Burton (1821-1890) and Lady Isabel Burton (1831-1896); and Oscar Eckenstein (1859-1921).

An Introduction to the Central Archive at the British Museum
Francesca Hillier (Archivist, The British Museum)
22 February 2018, 6-7pm
Room 209, UCL Institute of Archaeology

Francesca will discuss the Museum's Central Archive, housing important documents relating to the Museum's history and the history of its collections.

The Kentucky Mummy: Encountering Antiquity in 19th Century America
9 November 2017, 6 pm –7 pm
Room 209, UCL Institute of Archaeology

James E. Snead (California State University, Northridge) will discuss the history of an iconic find, and how it affected both the beginnings of scientific archaeology and popular culture in the United States.

What does it mean to be human? Curating Heads
2 Oct 2017 - 28 February 2018
9am - 7pm daily
Octagon Gallery
University College London
Gower Street
London
WC1E 6BT

A free exhibition about the ethics and implications of human remains. Featuring the work of archaeologist Flinders Petrie, and a discussion of his request to leave his head to science. Further details here.

The Lost City of London
3-29 October 2017
Paternoster Square
London

A free photography exhibition charting excavations in the City of London after the Second World War.  Details are here.

The Discovery of Roman London
11 September 2017-5 January 2018
Library opening hours listed here.
Guildhall Library
Aldermanbury
EC2V 7HH

An exhibition charting the history of Roman archaeology in London, and the sites and artefacts relating to Roman London. It highlights the pioneering work of London antiquary Charles Roach-Smith, and illuminates the history of the Museum of London's predecessor, the Guildhall Museum.  Further information and a list of associated events can be found here.

Adventures in Egypt - Mrs Goodison and Other Travellers
23 September 2017 -10 March 2018
10-4 Mon-Sat; during School holidays 11-4 Sun
The Atkinson
Lord Street
Southport

An exhibition highlighting the life of Victorian collector Amelia Goodison and her engagement with ancient Egypt through artefacts, letters and sketches. The exhibition is free, further details here.

​Petrie Film Club presents: Letters from Baghdad 
Film screening
Petrie Museum
20th Sep 2017 19:00-21:30
Petrie Museum of Egyptian Archaeology
0207 679 4138
events.petrie@ucl.ac.uk
 
Amara Thornton introduces the documentary Letters from Baghdad, starring Tilda Swinton as the voice of Gertrude Bell as part of the Different Perspectives: Archaeology and the Middle East in World War One. The event is free and booking information can be found here

Alma-Tadema: At Home in Antiquity
Daily (except Tuesdays) 10-5, 7 July-29 Oct 2017
evening openings 20 Jul, 17 Aug, 21 Sep, 12 and 26 Oct and during Leighton Lates.
Leighton House Museum
12 Holland Park Road
London

Victorian artist Lawrence Alma-Tadema produced many works that illustrated life in the Classical world.  The exhibition will take visitors through Alma-Tadema's life and work, and the influence that his art continues to have on our perception of the classical world today. Also features the art of Alma-Tadema's wife Laura Alma-Tadema and daugher Anna Alma-Tadema. Entrance ticket to Leighton House gives entry to exhibition. Further details here.

Egypt Uncovered:
Belzoni and the tomb of Pharaoh Seti I
11 October 2017-14 April 2018
Tues-Sat 10am - 5 pm
Sir John Soane Museum
Lincoln's Inn Fields
London

Following the adventures of early 19th century Italian-born excavator (and former strong-man) Giovanni Battista Belzoni and the history and reception of the objects he brought back to Britain from Egypt.

Admission free. Exhibition webpage here.