British Museum

After some fun times in Ireland, I was able to take a trip to its neighboring country, the United Kingdom - specifically London. While I was there, I saw some gorgeous architecture and all the famous tourist spots. We lucked out on the weather because it was beautiful both days we were there. Our second day in London was call 'Musuem Day' since we visited 3 different ones. The main focus of this blog is the National British Museum, as you can see by the title. One of the best parts of this place was that tickets are free. So, you get to experience all of this cool history without spending any money. Unless you go to the gift shop, then you spend money.

This was one of the coolest museums I have ever been too. There was legitimately so much history packed in every corner of this building it is insane how much stuff they have. Being from America, I learned all about the British Empire and how they had power of most of the world for a very long time. So being able to see historical artifacts that old from so many countries was an unreal experience. They had famous statues like Discobolus and one of the Caryatids as well as old jewelry and pottery from all different countries. The museum itself was huge, you could spend all day in there and still not be able to fully appreciate and understand everything you see. There were over 80 rooms full of artifacts and they were all divided up by country. There was a section about Asia, Grease, China, Egypt and so many others. My personal favorite exhibit was the ancient Greek section. I find Greek Gods and Goddesses really fascinating so seeing their sculptures and learning more about them was so cool. I personally could've spent all my time there looking at the detailed stone sculptures and learning about the
significance of everything in the rooms.

While walking around, I found myself appreciating the relics before me and thinking how important everything in the building is. This thought reminded me of a poem written by Seamus Heaney which it titles Relic of Memory. This poem reflects how natural and cultural artifacts preserve memory as well as serve as links to the past. The idea of preservation is so important since it gives us the ability to see the transformation of our world through time. These artifacts serve as vessels for cultural memory and that is exactly what this poem, and the mission of the British Museum, represent. My favorite part of the poem is the first and last stanza. 

"The lough waters

Can petrify wood:

Old oars and posts

Over the years

Harden their grain,

Incarcerate ghosts"

"Are too simple,

Without the lure

That relic stored.

A piece of stone

On the shelf at school,

Oatmeal coloured."

I feel like these lines capture how things become relics overtime and how even though they are not used anymore, the memory and importance of the item lives on. Musuems are not for everyone, and some people may think it's boring to walk around and look at old things, but the way I look at it is this, we cannot advance the present of we don't know the past. So, in my humble opinion, I recommend everyone sees this place at least once in their lives. Its significance to our history cannot be understated.