Today marks the 70th anniversary of the liberation of Auschwitz concentration camp. Never forget the terrible suffering humans can inflict on those they see as different.
Category: Heritage Photography
Jaguar XKSS (1957)
The Jaguar XKSS was the road-going version of the Jaguar D-Type racing car. This one can be seen at the Haynes International Motor Museum, Somerset. Save
King Khasekhemwy, Second Dynasty Pharoah
Khasekhemwy (ca. 2690 BC) was the final king of the Second dynasty of Ancient Egypt. This statue of him in the Ashmolean Museum is the oldest example of royal statuary from Egypt. It shows him wearing the White Crown of Upper Egypt. Save
30th Dynasty Canopic Jars
These exceptional canopic jars from the Ashmolean Museum in Oxford belonged to Zenbastef'onkh, son of Harwoz and Nakhtubasteran. They date from the 30th dynasty (380-343 BC). Above is seen Imsety, the human-headed protector of the liver, and Hapi the baboon-headed protector of the lungs. Below is Duamutef, the jacket-headed protector of the stomach. Save
The Wrestler of the Antikythera Shipwreck
In the National Archaeological Museum in Athens you can find a special gallery for the finds from the Antikythera shipwreck, a boat carrying luxury goods from around 75–50 BC which was wrecked in a storm off the coast of Greece. It contained many statues, vessels, coins and of course, the famous 2000-year-old computer I've previously … Continue reading The Wrestler of the Antikythera Shipwreck
Treasures of Natural History: Dodos, Darwin’s Pigeons and Neanderthal Skulls
At a recent trip to the Natural History Museum in London I visited their new gallery of treasurers from their collections, which as you'd imagine, are amazingly varied and cover everything from geology and dinosaurs to early human evolution and the animal kingdom. One of the most interesting specimens on display was a composite skeleton … Continue reading Treasures of Natural History: Dodos, Darwin’s Pigeons and Neanderthal Skulls
An Ancient Computer: The Antikythera Mechanism
The highlight of a recent trip to Athens was a visit to the National Museum of Archaeology. The museum had a special gallery for the finds from the Antikythera shipwreck, a boat carrying luxury goods from around 75–50 BC which was wrecked in a storm. It was discovered in 1900 by sponge divers. The highlight … Continue reading An Ancient Computer: The Antikythera Mechanism
Sculpture by Anna Gillespie
Sculpture by Anna Gillespie The Weekly Photo Challenge this week is Inside, and I've chosen this enigmatic sculpture made of masking tape from the museum stores of the Somerset Heritage Service. It was created by Anna Gillespie, a contemporary British figurative sculptor based in Bath. When I look at it, it makes me wondering whether … Continue reading Sculpture by Anna Gillespie
The Shapwick Hoard: Britain’s Largest Hoard of Roman Silver Denarii
Take a look at this rather attractive pile of coins; who doesn’t like a bit of treasure? It’s actually a photo of the Shapwick Hoard, a collection of 9,262 Roman silver denarii coins found at Shapwick on the Somerset Levels in 1998. Where was it found? The hoard was discovered by amateur metal detectorists in … Continue reading The Shapwick Hoard: Britain’s Largest Hoard of Roman Silver Denarii
Unlocking the Past: Hidden Museum Collections
In the real world I work in museums and travel across the county of Somerset visiting its many historic sites on a weekly basis (I’m pretty lucky to be getting paid to do something I love). One day a week I work at Yeovil’s best-kept secret, the amazing Community Heritage Access Centre (CHAC). Basically it’s … Continue reading Unlocking the Past: Hidden Museum Collections
