One of the oldest public  museums in the world, the British Museum was established in 1753 to house the books, antiquates, and plant and animal specimens of the physician Sir Hans Sloane (1660-1753). The Collection expanded rapidly and during the 19^th century the museum acquired a mass of Classical and Middle Eastern antiquates, some of which still make up the top attractions here, such as Rosetta Stone and the Parthenon sculptures. You can now see items drawn from a dizzying number of cultures and civilizations, from Stone Age Europe and Ancient Egypt to modern Japan and contemporary North America.

There are sculptures and statues, mummies and murals, coins and medals, ceramics, gold and silver, prints, drawings and innumerable other man-made objects from every corner of the globe and every period of history. In addition to the vast permanent collection, one of the largest in the world, the British Museum hosts regular special exhibitions, talks and events.

A world of treasures. There are 95 galleries covering 4 km (2.5 miles) over three floors and eight levels of the museum, thought the majority of exhibits are on the ground and upper floors.

The Greece, Rome and Middle East Collections are also spread across the two main floors, though major items such as the Parthenon sculptures are in the large rooms of the ground floor to the West of the Great Court.

The Africa collection is on the lower floor, while Asia exhibits are on the ground and upper floors on the north side. Ancient Egyptian artifacts are on the upper floor in Rooms 61 to 66 and in Room 4, beside the Great Court.

The Americas Collection is located in the north – east corner of the main floor. The Sainsbury Gallery hosts major temporary exhibitions.