Information Density: The British Museum – Signal Evidence & AI Readability

[IMG: A wide shot of the Great Court with the roof and Reading Room in view]

[H1] The British Museum

[H2] Welcome to the British Museum

Experience cultures across the globe, from the dawn of human history to the present.

Plan your visit

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The Great Court at the British Museum.
Explore the Great Court

[H2]
Discover two million years of human history and culture

Free entry
–
book online

Open today: 10.00–17.00

Last entry: 16.45

[H2]
Returning to the UK after 1,000 years

[H3]
The Bayeux Tapestry

. Coming September 2026
.

[IMG: Section of the Bayeux Tapestry showing a group of warriors with shields and spears on horseback charging from left to right.]

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Exhibitions and events

See all exhibitions and events

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Hawaiʻia kingdom crossing oceans

. Final weeks
.

[IMG: A close up of a section of a feathered Hawai]

[H3]
Early Netherlandish drawings

. Free
.

[IMG: A 16th-century sketch of a young woman]

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Queen Elizabeth II memorial

. Free
.

[IMG: A bronze statue of a woman in a long robe on top of a tall cylindrical stone plinth on grass flanked by rows of trees with people looking on.]

[H2]
Visit the Museum

[IMG: Woman in gallery space looking at a statue of a figure standing on right leg, dancing.]

[H3]
Plan your visit

Book tickets and plan your day including exhibitions, facilities, access, food and travel.

[IMG: The Great Court Restaurant.]

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Museum map

Navigate the Museum with ease, using our floor-by-floor plan and discover what not to miss.

[IMG: Visitors examining the Rosetta Stone in the Egyptian Sculpture gallery]

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Galleries

Walk through two million years of history and culture across more than 50 galleries.

[IMG: A family looking at a sculpture in the Mausoleum of Halikarnassos]

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Family visits

From family facilities to activities and events, discover how to make the most of your day at the Museum.

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Become a Member

Enjoy exclusive events, access to exhibitions and the Members' Room, plus discounts in the Museum shops, cafés and restaurants.

Find out more

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What's online...

[IMG: Two curators alongside a feathered helmet with the title "Curators]

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Curators' tour of the 'Hawaiʻi' exhibition

Can't make it to the show during its final weeks? Watch now to enjoy a personal tour of our five-star exhibition led by the curators.

[IMG: King Charles, Queen Camilla and a guest viewing a display of a model park in the Reading Room at the British Museum.]

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Royal Reading Room

See what happened when the Royal Family visited the new Queen Elizabeth II memorial display, celebrating the late monarch's 70-year reign.

[IMG: Heart-shaped gold pendant with enamel rose and pomegranate, suspended from a hand-shaped clasp on a gold-link chain]

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Britain's greatest treasure finds

Whether found by accident or by dedicated detectorists, learn how extraordinary discoveries by members of the public are reshaping history.

[IMG: Nick Harris has long hair and a black t-shirt and stands gesturing at a table covered in objects relating to the Museum and World War Two, including an open book, a bucket, a small figurine, and a pile of melted coins.]

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The British Museum and the Blitz

How did the Museum keep objects safe during the Blitz? The answer involves the London Tube, a stone quarry and, surprisingly, golf clubs.

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Sign up to our newsletters

Stay connected to the British Museum for the latest news, stories, exhibitions, events and visitor information.

Sign up

[H2]
UK and the world

[IMG: Scientist using a laser to clean a headdress.]

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Research

Driving the care, display and understanding of the collection, find out about projects, studentships and publications.

[IMG: Four of the Lewis Chessmen on the board facing the viewer.]

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Departments

Learn about our research departments, outreach, training, study rooms and access to the collection.

[IMG: A visitor examines an exhibit in Courtly India, Room 47]

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National

Find out how the Museum shares expertise and the collection across more than 250 UK cultural organisations.

[IMG: A tour of the Museum, arranged under the Iraq Scheme]

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International

Loans, research and touring exhibitions are some of the many ways we build ties internationally. See our current collaborations.

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Search Collection online

From the Rosetta Stone to Japanese netsuke, discover a wealth of information about Museum objects in our searchable database.

Start your search

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Explore the collection

See all

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Egypt
Read more

[IMG: Mummy mask]

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Desire, love and identity
Read the blog

[IMG: Two lgbtq badges on same image]

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Animals
See the collection

[IMG: Southwark made earthenware jug in shape of cat]

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Americas
See the collection

[IMG: Mayan Maize god]

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Death and memory
Read more

[IMG: Grave stele showing a naked archer]

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Africa
See the collection

[IMG: Egg-shaped skin container and lid, decorated with geometric patterns]

[H2]
Welcome to the British Museum Shop

Shop now

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Inspired by the Smurfs x Bastet
https://www.britishmuseumshoponline.org/exhibitions/the-smurfs-and-bastet-the-a…

[IMG: Cartoon showing a group of five smurfs outside the British Museum, with Bastet the Egyptian cat.]

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Inspired by the Museum
https://www.britishmuseumshoponline.org/inspired-by/inspired-by-the-british-mus…

[IMG: Image of book cover treasures of the British Museum showing Great Court]

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Inspired by the Lewis Chessmen
https://www.britishmuseumshoponline.org/inspired-by/lewis-chessmen-collection.h…

[IMG: A piece from the Lewis Chessmen]

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Inspired by Sutton Hoo
https://www.britishmuseumshoponline.org/inspired-by/sutton-hoo.html

[IMG: Helmet found at Sutton Hoo, brown and gold]

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Inspired by London
https://www.britishmuseumshoponline.org/inspired-by/inspired-by-london.html

[IMG: Landmarks of London including the British Museum and Wembley Stadium.]

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Inspired by cats
https://www.britishmuseumshoponline.org/inspired-by/inspired-by-cats.html

[IMG: Two tea cups with blue cats]

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Inspired by Hokusai
https://www.britishmuseumshoponline.org/inspired-by/inspired-by-hokusai.html

[IMG: Cushion with image of the great wave]

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Inspired by ancient Egypt
https://www.britishmuseumshoponline.org/inspired-by/ancient-egypt.html

[IMG: Rubber duck that looks like Cleopatra]