The Institute was formally opened in 1937 as a centre for teaching and research in archaeology. Today, it is one of the hubs of archaeological activity in the world, offering a broad variety of undergraduate and graduate degree programmes and undertaking wide ranging research. It has close contacts with other departments in UCL as well as with many other archaeological organisations in Britain and abroad. It is the largest university-based archaeological institution in Britain, with nearly 500 students and over 70 academic teaching staff.

The Institute of Archaeology Collections include scientific, reference and teaching material. The Institute's collections include prehistoric pottery and stone artefacts from many parts of the world, as well as collections of Roman pottery, coins and glass. There are extensive collections of archaeobotanical and zooarchaeological material which act as a primary source for the identification of plant and animal remains from archaeological sites. Collections of minerals and other materials form part of the teaching resource for the study of early technology. Western Asiatic material includes the famous Petrie collection of Palestinian artefacts, collections from excavations at Jericho and a wide range of objects from ancient Mesopotamia.

One of the lime plaster statues from 'Ain Ghazal, Jordan

The Museum of London's Archaeological Archive and Research Centre holds information on over 5000 sites or projects that have taken place in Greater London over the past 100 years. It stores the full archives from the majority of these, including records and finds. Nowadays the records and finds from nearly all archaeological work in London come here.

The LAARC is not only the primary source of evidence for early London but also a resource of international significance. Because of the richness of the material and the historical importance of London, it continues to make an essential contribution to studies of the Roman empire, of prehistoric and medieval Europe, and of early modern colonialism.

You may use the LAARC entirely free of charge, but by appointment only.

Mortimer Wheeler House
46 Eagle Wharf Road
London N1 7ED
Tel: +44 (0)20 7490 8447
Fax: +44 (0)20 7490 5047
 
E-mail: laarc@museumoflondon.org.uk
Contact: Roy Stephenson, Archaeological Archive Manager.

The Foundling Museum tells the story of the Foundling Hospital, London's first home for abandoned children and of three major figures in British history: its campaigning founder the philanthropist Thomas Coram, the artist William Hogarth and the composer George Frideric Handel.

This remarkable collection of art and social history is now housed in a restored and refurbished building adjacent to the original site of the Hospital, demolished in 1926.

Boys marching out of the London
Foundling Hospital for the last time, 1926.
© Coram Family in the care of the Foundling Museum

Courtroom 'The Courtroom Peter Cook'.
© The Foundling Museum

'Children visiting the Foundling Museum '
© The Foundling Museum

Soane was born in 1753, the son of a bricklayer, and died after a long and distinguished career, in 1837.

Soane designed this house to live in, but also as a setting for his antiquities and his works of art. After the death of his wife (1815), he lived here alone, constantly adding to and rearranging his collections. Having been deeply disappointed by the conduct of his two sons, one of whom survived him, he determined to establish the house as a museum to which 'amateurs and students' should have access.

Sir John Soane's

The Georgian Group was founded in 1937 to promote the protection and enjoyment of Georgian buildings, monuments, parks and gardens. It is a statutory amenity society covering England and Wales.

Some of Britain's greatest buildings were constructed during the Georgian period including St. Paul's Cathedral in the City of London, country houses such as Blenheim Palace in Oxfordshire, as well as smaller scale domestic terraced houses. We campaign to preserve all these kinds of buildings together with industrial and military buildings, hospitals, farms and follies.

Some historic buildings are protected from demolition by listing, but disfigurement and neglect remain real threats to many buildings. Sometimes owners want to alter the original purpose or function of a building. We do not oppose change but we do try to stop harmful alterations.

View showing the outside of the
premises at 6 Fitzroy Square.

View showing the first floor rooms at
6 Fitzroy Sq, where the summer school took place.

Whether you're looking to experience swimming and breathing underwater for the first time, take the initial step towards becoming a qualified diver, or would like to brush up on skills you have learned before, the London School of Diving's highly qualified instructors are here to help you along.

The London School of Diving brings together the best instructors, equipment and facilities in London with the patience that will guarantee your satisfaction.

Modern changing and shower facilities
state of the art classrooms
heated on-site training pool
relaxation/coffee lounge

London School of Diving Reception

London School of Diving Pool

The NAS is dedicated to advancing education in nautical archaeology at all levels; to improving techniques in excavating, conservation and reporting; and to encouraging the participation of members of the public at all stages.

The Nautical Archaeology Society is a non-government organisation formed to further interest in our underwater cultural heritage. We are a registered charity based in the United Kingdom, but with strong links to sister organisations around the world. (The Charity Commission for England and Wales Reg. No. 264209.)

We aim to preserve our archaeological heritage in the marine environment, by acting as a focus for coastal and marine archaeology. To do this we need to involve everyone - divers and non-divers, scientists, historians and anyone with an interest. Our underwater heritage is not renewable, and is at constant threat from natural and human agencies.

NAUTICAL ARCHAEOLOGY SOCIETY TRAINING
Fort Cumberland, Eastney, Portsmouth, Hampshire,
PO4 9LD.
Tel/Fax: 023 92818419
Email: nas@nasportsmouth.org.uk

The British Museum is the one of the largest museums in Britain.

It is situated in the south of Camden just behind Tottenham Court Road, where it has offered free admission to visitors from London, Britain and across the world for over 200 years.

The museum houses a huge collection of objects from around the world. Some of the famous parts of the collection include the ancient Egyptian mummies, sculptures from ancient Greece and Rome, treasures from Mesopotamia and the royal burial from Sutton Hoo here in Britain. The museum also displays objects from India, Africa and China. Objects from more recent times are included in the European, American and African galleries.

To find out more about the museum including how to get there, opening times, visitor facilities, current exhibitions and forthcoming public events, click on the British Museum homepage image shown on this page.

We look forward to seeing you at the British Museum soon!