Pitt Rivers Museum
Despite the Oxford's small size there are a number of different museums in the city, many offering free entry. Check out our Oxford Museum Map to see the locations and details of many of Oxford's museums. Pitt Rivers, after the Ashmolean Museum is probably one of the most popular. Details below:
The Pitt Rivers Museum (often spelt Pit Rivers Museum) was founded in 1884 when Lt General Pitt Rivers, an influential figure in the development of archaeology and evolutionary anthropology, gave his collection to Oxford University. His two conditions were that a museum was built to house it and that someone should be appointed to lecture in anthropology.
Oxford University agreed to his request and the Pit Rivers Museum of natural history was founded. The Generals founding gift contained more than 18,000 objects but there are now over half a million. The Pitt Rivers Museum features displays of archaeological and ethnographic objects from all parts of the world. Many were donated by early anthropologists and explorers. Today the Museum is an active teaching department of the University of Oxford.
The Pitt Rivers is the only natural history museum in Oxford so if you would like a souveneir dont forget to visit the museum gift shop!
Contact Details
Pitt Rivers Museum
South Parks Rd, Oxford, Oxfordshire OX1 3PP
+44 (1865) 270927
Map
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