Pitt Rivers Museum

The museum’s unique display style, grouping objects by function rather than origin, invites visitors to explore and make connections across cultures and time periods. This novel approach was instigated by General Pitt Rivers himself, who donated his collection to the University of Oxford in 1884.

Diverse collection

With musical instruments, weapons, masks, textiles, jewellery and tools from all places and times on show, there are surprises around every corner. Among the many highlights are gold torcs from the richest Bronze Age hoard in Scotland, and reindeer underwear worn by Evenki women in north-eastern Siberia.

Archaeological highlights

With anthropology and world archaeology collections rivalled only by the British Museum, Pitt Rivers continues to add to and interrogate its exhibits. Look out for a USB stick excavated from a muddy London playing field in 2012 which illustrates how we are all constantly creating archaeology, and which also asks how such finds will be interpreted in future.

Events and exhibitions

The museum hosts temporary exhibitions that delve deeper into themes and objects in the permanent collection. You can also participate in workshops, Late Night talks and events and family activity sessions.

What’s nearby?

Looking for more things explore in Oxford? Why not take a look at the History of Science Museum in the world's oldest surviving purpose-built museum building, or inspire young minds at the Story Museum.

Entrance to the Pitt Rivers Museum is through the Oxford University Museum of Natural History.