[1krispy1, 16.06.2007] Mr. Porter gives a rating of exceptional or three of three stars. Accessing the British Museum is possible via the "tubes: Holborn, Tottenham Court Rd., Goodge St or Russell Sq.". Admission is free.
The British Museum is "set in scholarly Bloomsbury" and "grew out of a private collection of manuscripts purchased in 1753". Over the years via "legacies, discoveries and purchases" it grew until it became "one of the most comprehensive collections" of the artifacts of human history.
The general scheme "splits basically into the national collections of antiquities". Highly recommended "even on a cursory first visit" is the Asian collections with "Islamic pottery, Chinese porcelain, Indian sculpture and the prehistoric Romano British collections". Special human hallmark treasures of interest worthy of extra attention include the Rosetta stone which "led to the deciphering of hieroglyphics", the Elgin Marbles "a series of pediments, metopes, and friezes from the Parthenon", and the Black Obelisk. A portion of the other treasures found here include "contents of Egyptian royal tombs, fabulous arrays of 2000 year old jewelry, cosmetics, weapons, furniture and tools. It should be noted "the exhibits change throughout the year". If a specific item is on your list "call to make sure it is on display".
It is worth noting the British Museum contains 2 ½ miles (4km) of galleries. It is not possible to view in a single day or visit. Aside from some of the major exhibits covered above are other equally rich but "less heralded but equally fascinating" exhibits. Specific rooms worthy of visiting are "33 and 34 and 91 to 94". Here resides "the glory of the Orient, covering Taoism, Confucianism and Buddhism". There is also sculpture from India. The Mexican Gallery in room 33C "traces that countrys art from the 2nd millennium B.C. to the 16th century A.D." There is also a new money gallery "tracing the story of money".