Online Collections

Explore Penn Museum collections information, images, archival films, and more.

Notice for Collections Content

These records describe cultural and historical items that may be culturally sensitive. Some records may document human remains; others may contain names, images, or recordings of deceased individuals or include information or language that is outdated, offensive, or incorrect. These are based on past collecting practices and interpretations, which may not reflect current views and values of the Penn Museum.

We update records and images regularly and encourage and welcome members of descendant communities, scholars, and others to contact us with feedback, questions, or concerns.

Highlighted Objects

  • Granite Sphinx of Ramses II

    The sphinx, a lion with a human head, represents the power of the Egyptian king, both to protect his people and to conquer the enemies of Egypt.

  • Queen Puabi's Headdress

    This ornate headdress and pair of earrings were found with the body of Queen Puabi in the Royal Cemetery at Ur.

  • Ram in the Thicket

    Sir Leonard Woolley dubbed this statuette the "ram caught in a thicket" as an allusion to the biblical story of Abraham sacrificing a ram.

Great Revolutionaries

Great Revolutionaries

2021-2022 Lecture Series

Throughout history, there have been outstanding leaders and change-makers that have guided societies through times of great difficulty and triumph. Explore the stories behind a diverse mix of revolutionaries who brought dramatic change to their societies from ancient times to today.

Watch Series
Ur, Iraq

Ur, Iraq

Located in southern Iraq, Ur was one of the most famous archaeological excavations during the early 20th century. The work at Ur brought the magic of archaeology to life, particularly by tying the discoveries into familiar biblical stories. Between 1922 and 1934, the Joint Expedition of the British Museum and the Penn Museum uncovered some of the most well-known and celebrated art from ancient Mesopotamia.

Borneo.

Borneo

The island of Borneo sits off the coast of Southeast Asia and is divided among the countries of Malaysia, Indonesia, and tiny Brunei. Between 1896 and 1898, several collecting expeditions to Borneo were undertaken. They spent six months in Sarawak, traveling upriver to Dayak longhouses, they undertook an expedition to Dutch West Borneo, spending several months on the Kapuas River, and then they visited the Mahakam River in Dutch East Borneo.

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We update records and images regularly and encourage and welcome members of descendant communities, scholars, and others to contact us with feedback, questions, or concerns.

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