There's a starman waiting in the sky
He'd like to come and meet us
But he thinks he'd blow our minds
There's a starman waiting in the sky
He's told us not to blow it
Cause he knows it's all worthwhile
- David Bowie (1947-2016) (Song Here, Lyrics Here)
This day was to be the lightest thus far. It was a welcome break. We had class in the morning, during which we began our discussion of Hamlet. One of Dr. Chalk's goals for the trip was for us to come away with a better understanding and appreciation for Shakespeare's works. This understanding would be furthered by visiting Stratford-Upon-Avon and Shakespeare's Globe Theatre in the upcoming days. After class, a few of us hit up Tea Shop down the street for a quick bite. Then, it was off to the British Museum!
As with the V&A Museum on the second day, I was unsure as to the contents of the museum, and how it would be laid out. Upon arriving, we learned that the museum was divided by different historical periods, as well as different civilizations. We also learned of two parts of the museum we had to see: the room containing the Rosetta Stone (yes, the real thing), and the room containing fallen pieces of the Parthenon. More on those later.
Before I continue, I realize that this post will be sort of "haphazard", and will not follow any specific order. There was much to see in the museum, so we did our best to hit as many high points as we could.
Basically, we saw a smattering of artifacts of many of the great ancient civilizations: ancient Egypt, Rome, and Bronze-Age Greece, for example. Two of my favorite pieces from the ancient exhibits are shown below.
Wandering around for a bit, we wound up in a room that displayed the evolution of the monetary system, and the history of the means of monetary exchange.
A bit more wandering led us to the library of King George III. It is divided by seven important Enlightenment themes: Trade and Discovery, Religion and Ritual, Ancient Scripts, Classifying the World, Art and Civilization, The Birth of Archaeology, and The Natural World. Needless to say, it was absolutely incredible.
Now, it's time for the two feature events: the Rosetta Stone first. The Rosetta Stone was instrumental in deciphering Egyptian hieroglyphics.
The group broke off, and Katelyn, Sarah and I took a quick trip over to see the fallen pieces of the Parthenon. To be frank, I could have spent hours in that room. There was so much to see, but so little time. There were pieces from the pediments, the metropes, and the friezes. It was gorgeous.
Upon the conclusion of our visit to the museum, a group of us elected to take an ad hoc trip to a special train station: King's Cross Station. What's there? Platform 9 3/4: the station which took Harry Potter and friends to Hogwarts.
We arrived at the "platform" to find a line of people waiting to take a picture with the "Harry Potter Shopping Cart", which was half-submerged in the wall underneath a sign for Platform 9 3/4. It felt silly to get in line for such a touristy thing: even a little kid passing by remarked "Mummy, are they waitin' in line t' take a picture 'ith a wall?" But hey, when in London! I leave you all with this picture of me, on my way to Hogwarts.
-Greg
He'd like to come and meet us
But he thinks he'd blow our minds
There's a starman waiting in the sky
He's told us not to blow it
Cause he knows it's all worthwhile
- David Bowie (1947-2016) (Song Here, Lyrics Here)
This day was to be the lightest thus far. It was a welcome break. We had class in the morning, during which we began our discussion of Hamlet. One of Dr. Chalk's goals for the trip was for us to come away with a better understanding and appreciation for Shakespeare's works. This understanding would be furthered by visiting Stratford-Upon-Avon and Shakespeare's Globe Theatre in the upcoming days. After class, a few of us hit up Tea Shop down the street for a quick bite. Then, it was off to the British Museum!
Lunch at "The Muffin Man" Tea Shop with Sarah, Katelyn, Ling, and Christian.
As with the V&A Museum on the second day, I was unsure as to the contents of the museum, and how it would be laid out. Upon arriving, we learned that the museum was divided by different historical periods, as well as different civilizations. We also learned of two parts of the museum we had to see: the room containing the Rosetta Stone (yes, the real thing), and the room containing fallen pieces of the Parthenon. More on those later.
Before I continue, I realize that this post will be sort of "haphazard", and will not follow any specific order. There was much to see in the museum, so we did our best to hit as many high points as we could.
The exterior of the British Museum
Interior of the British Museum.
Basically, we saw a smattering of artifacts of many of the great ancient civilizations: ancient Egypt, Rome, and Bronze-Age Greece, for example. Two of my favorite pieces from the ancient exhibits are shown below.
An embalmed man. Freaky.
A funerary relief (basically a tombstone) from ancient Rome. These would be found in a special "city for the dead", which would be separate and apart from the city of Rome itself. These cities of the dead were known as "necropoli" (singular: necropolis).
Wandering around for a bit, we wound up in a room that displayed the evolution of the monetary system, and the history of the means of monetary exchange.
Coins from around the world: 1945-Present Day. Can you find the U.S. Quarter?
An actual Bitcoin. For those unfamiliar with Bitcoin, see below.
Description of Bitcoin, courtesy of the Museum.
A bit more wandering led us to the library of King George III. It is divided by seven important Enlightenment themes: Trade and Discovery, Religion and Ritual, Ancient Scripts, Classifying the World, Art and Civilization, The Birth of Archaeology, and The Natural World. Needless to say, it was absolutely incredible.
King George's Collection.
Now, it's time for the two feature events: the Rosetta Stone first. The Rosetta Stone was instrumental in deciphering Egyptian hieroglyphics.
The Stone, in all its glory.
A more in-depth description of the deciphering/decipher-ers.
The group broke off, and Katelyn, Sarah and I took a quick trip over to see the fallen pieces of the Parthenon. To be frank, I could have spent hours in that room. There was so much to see, but so little time. There were pieces from the pediments, the metropes, and the friezes. It was gorgeous.
Katelyn (L) and Sarah (R) in the Parthenon room.
Selfie with the gods and goddesses of Greece!
Upon the conclusion of our visit to the museum, a group of us elected to take an ad hoc trip to a special train station: King's Cross Station. What's there? Platform 9 3/4: the station which took Harry Potter and friends to Hogwarts.
King's Cross Station exterior.
King's Cross Station interior.
-Greg
Comments
Post a Comment