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Why the British Museum is special
The British Museum in London, England exhibits a wealth of
cultural masterpieces including famous antiquities and historic
documents. Its four most celebrated crowd-pullers are the:
Rosetta Stone
Elgin Marbles
Great Court
Rosetta Stone
The 2200 year old Rosetta Stone (see photo) stands only one
meter high but is of towering significance. Its discovery in
1799 enabled archaeologists to decipher the hieroglyphics
chiseled on ancient Egyptian temples. This was possible because
an identical message is repeated on the Rosetta Stone using
three different written languages. One of them is hieroglyphics.
Because the archaeologists knew the other two, they learned how
to interpret hieroglyphics.
Elgin Marbles
These ancient Greek sculptures once adorned the Parthenon in
Athens. In the nineteenth century, Lord Elgin shipped them to
England.
The Elgin Marbles have embroiled the British Museum in a growing
controversy. A number of individuals and cultural organizations
argue that the museum should
Return these artistic masterpieces
to Greece because Lord Elgin "stole" them (that is, he took them
without obtaining proper approvals from the Greek government and
people).
Great Court
The eye-catching Queen Elizabeth II Great Court is a sizable
courtyard covered by an immense curved glass ceiling and lined
with Greek-facaded museum galleries.
The Great Court's focal point is the Reading Room edifice, which
dramatically rises from the middle of the courtyard. This round
structure houses a large, old-fashioned research library
boasting a high-domed ceiling and long tables fanning out from
the room's hub like wagon-wheel spokes. The ambiance is
invitingly traditional. Use of this famous room was once limited
to the few, but is now open to any museum-goer for walk-around
sightseeing or for casual or serious reading at tables once used
by celebrated writers and scholars.
Note: Magna Carta is gone
This renowned 13th century document of freedom had long been one
of the top draws of the British Museum. The Magna Carta was
recently relocated permanently to the British Library.
What leading travel books say about the British Museum
The fabled British Museum houses a vast and priceless collection
of treasures.
Europe
Fodor's
The British Museum shelters one of the world's most
comprehensive collections of art and artifacts.
Europe
Frommer's
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