On Malet Place at University College London, the Petrie Museum of Egyptian Archaeology holds a dense collection of objects from Egypt and Sudan. Its displays bring ancient life into focus through everyday things such as sandals, combs, kitchen utensils, jewellery and children’s games, alongside mummies and carved pieces. Look for the colourful tiles and decorative work from Akhenaten’s city of Amarna, as well as ancient textiles. The rooms are compact, but the collection is extensive, and the museum’s teaching displays give context to the objects.
A collection built for archaeological study
The Petrie Museum is part of University College London’s museums and collections. Amelia Edwards established it in 1892, and it takes its name from Flinders Petrie, an Egyptologist and excavator whose work contributed to the collection. The museum began as a teaching resource for the university’s Department of Egyptian Archaeology and Philology.
Its collection holds around 80,000 objects connected with Egyptian and Sudanese archaeology. The range spans from prehistoric periods through Pharaonic, Roman and Islamic times. Rather than concentrating only on monumental sculpture, the displays include small, practical objects that help explain how people lived and worked in the Nile Valley.
Everyday objects and distinctive finds
Look for amulets, beaded necklaces, clothing, sandals and makeup pots, as well as combs, kitchen utensils, pottery fragments, tools and children’s games. These objects bring daily routines into view alongside more familiar archaeological subjects such as mummies, death masks and carved works. The collection also includes a pot burial.
Textiles are another reason to take your time. The museum holds ancient clothing, including a dress dated to around 2,800 BC, described as the earliest surviving dress. Small objects can be easy to pass by in a packed display, so pause to read the labels and compare pieces from different periods.
Amarna and the displays
Among the collection’s highlights are colourful tiles, carvings and decorative art from Tell el Amarna, the city associated with the pharaoh Akhenaten. The objects give a close look at the visual culture of the city, through details that are distinct from the larger monuments found in major Egyptology collections.
The museum’s rooms are compact and densely arranged, with displays that connect objects to their archaeological context. That format suits visitors who want to study smaller finds at close range, though it can take time to work through the cases. Staff are available to answer questions, and the museum’s teaching focus is evident in the informative displays.
Planning your visit
Find the museum on Malet Place, within the UCL campus. It is easy to miss if you do not look for it among the university buildings, so keep the street address to hand as you enter the campus area.
Admission is free, and visitors can make a donation. The museum is open Tuesday to Saturday in the afternoon and closed on Sunday and Monday. A weekday visit is a practical choice if you would like a quieter experience. The collection is extensive despite the small rooms, so leave enough time to look closely rather than treating it as a quick pass through.
FAQ
Is the Petrie Museum free to enter?
Yes. Entry is free, and visitors can make a donation to support the museum.
What can you see at the Petrie Museum?
The collection includes Egyptian and Sudanese archaeological objects, from clothing, jewellery and children’s games to pottery, tools, mummies and finds connected with Amarna.
Where is the Petrie Museum?
It is on Malet Place at University College London, inside the campus gates.
