British Museum Highlights: 10 Must-See Treasures

Carved in 196 BCE, this granodiorite stele unlocked the secrets of ancient Egyptian hieroglyphics after 1,400 years of silence. The stone displays the same decree in three scripts – hieroglyphic, Demotic, and ancient Greek. French scholar Jean-François Champollion deciphered it in 1822, revolutionizing Egyptology and our understanding of ancient civilization. Discovered by Napoleon's soldiers in 1799, it became British property after military defeat. The Rosetta Stone remains the museum's most visited object and one of the most important archaeological discoveries in history, making the voices of ancient Egypt speak again.

Created around 447-432 BCE for the Parthenon temple in Athens, these marble sculptures represent the pinnacle of classical Greek art. The friezes depict the Panathenaic procession, while metopes show mythological battles. Lord Elgin removed them from the Parthenon in the early 1800s, sparking a controversy that continues today. The sculptures revolutionized European art with their naturalistic treatment of the human form and flowing drapery. Despite weathering and damage, they remain breathtakingly alive – horses strain, fabric clings to bodies, and gods lounge with casual divinity. Greece continues to request their return.

This colossal granite head portrays Ramesses II, who ruled Egypt for 66 years around 1279-1213 BCE. Weighing 7.5 tons, it once stood over 8 meters tall as part of a complete statue at the Ramesseum temple. The serene expression and royal regalia convey absolute power and divine authority. Ramesses was ancient Egypt's greatest builder and military leader, appearing in monuments across the kingdom. The statue inspired Shelley's poem "Ozymandias" about the impermanence of power. Transported to London in 1818, it became a sensation and symbol of ancient Egyptian grandeur in Victorian Britain.

Carved around 1200 CE on Easter Island, this 2.4-meter basalt moai represents the iconic stone figures that dot the remote Pacific island. The name means "lost or stolen friend" in the Rapa Nui language. The statue was taken from Orongo ceremonial village in 1868 by HMS Topaze crew. Originally, all moai had red stone topknots and coral eyes that made them "see" spiritual power across the island. The back features carvings from the birdman cult that later replaced ancestor worship. The Rapa Nui people have repeatedly requested its return to Easter Island.

Cast in brass in the 14th-15th century, this extraordinarily naturalistic head comes from Ife, the spiritual heartland of the Yoruba people in present-day Nigeria. The serene expression, delicate features, and parallel scarification lines demonstrate technical mastery and artistic sophistication. When discovered in 1938, it challenged racist assumptions that African art was "primitive." The head likely represents an Ooni (king) of Ife and may have been displayed during ceremonies. The thin casting technique shows advanced metalworking that rivaled anything in contemporary Europe. It remains one of Africa's greatest artistic achievements and a symbol of Yoruba cultural heritage.

This remarkably preserved mummy dates to around 1300-1280 BCE during Egypt's New Kingdom. Katebet was a chantress at the temple of Amun in Karnak, a prestigious religious position for women. The elaborate cartonnage (painted plaster) covering shows her in her finest clothes with intricate jewelry and a lotus cone on her head. CT scans reveal she died around age 35-40 and was carefully mummified to ensure her journey to the afterlife. The vivid colors and gold leaf remain stunning after over 3,000 years. Her mummy provides intimate insight into ancient Egyptian death rituals and beliefs about immortality.

Created in 15th-16th century Mexico, this spectacular ceremonial ornament features over 2,000 pieces of turquoise mosaic on a wooden base. The two-headed serpent represents duality and transformation in Aztec cosmology. It may have been worn on the chest during important ceremonies or adorned a staff. The turquoise came from distant mines, demonstrating the Aztec empire's vast trade networks. Possibly sent to Spain by Cortés after the conquest in 1521, it's one of the few surviving Aztec treasures not melted down. The craftsmanship is extraordinary – each tiny turquoise piece precisely cut and fitted.

Dating to around 2600-2400 BCE, this is one of the oldest known board games in the world. The elegant wooden board inlaid with shell, red limestone, and lapis lazuli was found in the Royal Cemetery of Ur in Iraq. The rules were decoded from a Babylonian clay tablet from 177 BCE – players raced pieces across the board using tetrahedral dice. The game remained popular in the Middle East for millennia. Its discovery in royal tombs suggests games were important for entertainment in the afterlife. The sophistication of both craftsmanship and gameplay reveals the complexity of Mesopotamian culture 4,600 years ago.

Buried around 625 CE in a ship grave in Suffolk, this iron helmet is the most iconic object from Anglo-Saxon Britain. The burial likely belonged to King Rædwald of East Anglia, one of the most powerful rulers of his time. The helmet combines British, Scandinavian, and Byzantine influences, showing England's connections across Europe. Intricate bronze decorations depict warriors and mythological scenes. Found crushed in hundreds of fragments, it was painstakingly reconstructed. The face mask with its dragon and bird motifs creates an imposing, almost supernatural appearance. This treasure transformed understanding of the "Dark Ages" as a sophisticated, connected period.

Carved from walrus ivory in 12th-century Norway, these 78 chess pieces were mysteriously found buried on the Isle of Lewis, Scotland in 1831. The expressive faces show remarkable personality – the queens rest their chins on their hands in thought, the berserker warriors bite their shields in rage. They represent four incomplete chess sets from the Viking world. The pieces demonstrate both the popularity of chess after its arrival from the Islamic world and the skill of Norse craftsmen. Their origin and burial remain mysterious. They've become cultural icons, inspiring everything from Harry Potter to countless reproductions, capturing medieval life with humor and detail.