A couple of tube rides and a short walk and here we are for our third visit to this amazing place.
We’re through a gentle security check (basically a bag-check) in no time and then we’re standing in the magnificent Great Court, setting up a Rick Steves tour on our phones.
Our first stop is the Rosetta Stone. When we first visited with our three young children in 1982, we could have reached out and touched it. Probably too many did, so it’s now behind glass.
It’s still amazing to behold.
Egyptians worshipped animals and especially liked cats, decorating this one with earrings.
One Nebadum is hunting and feasting.
Notice that a couple of the musicians below are painted facing forward, rare in ancient Egyptian art.
Of course, it wouldn’t be the British Museum without mummies.
The Nereid Monument...
We finally arrive at the Elgin Marbles, rescued from the Parthenon by Lord Elgin with the consent of the Ottoman rulers, and a sore spot for the Greeks ever since.
As we head toward the exit, we spot two items that look strangely familiar. By golly, they’re British Columbia totem poles, a long way from home.
On the walk, we spot a few chimneys that would have been a good backdrop for the chimney sweeps’ dance in Mary Poppins, at least if you removed the TV antennas.
We’re through a gentle security check (basically a bag-check) in no time and then we’re standing in the magnificent Great Court, setting up a Rick Steves tour on our phones.
Our first stop is the Rosetta Stone. When we first visited with our three young children in 1982, we could have reached out and touched it. Probably too many did, so it’s now behind glass.
It’s still amazing to behold.
On this highlights visit our next stop is a statue of King Rameses II, from circa 1270 B.C. He had a positive self-image.
Egyptians worshipped animals and especially liked cats, decorating this one with earrings.
One Nebadum is hunting and feasting.
Notice that a couple of the musicians below are painted facing forward, rare in ancient Egyptian art.
Of course, it wouldn’t be the British Museum without mummies.
Onward to the Assyrians and the Babylonians and eventually the Ancient Greeks.
The Nereid Monument...
We finally arrive at the Elgin Marbles, rescued from the Parthenon by Lord Elgin with the consent of the Ottoman rulers, and a sore spot for the Greeks ever since.
As we head toward the exit, we spot two items that look strangely familiar. By golly, they’re British Columbia totem poles, a long way from home.
All good things must come to an end, and we exit the museum to catch a bus back to within a few blocks of our hotel, a pleasant change from the Underground.
On the walk, we spot a few chimneys that would have been a good backdrop for the chimney sweeps’ dance in Mary Poppins, at least if you removed the TV antennas.
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