Pitt Rivers Museum

Details

Accessed through the Oxford University Museum of Natural History, after passing by dinosaurs, the arched doorway of the Pitt Rivers Museum on South Parks Road leads to an astonishing collection of seven hundred thousand objects, photographs, and manuscripts. Founded in 1884 with General Augustus Pitt Rivers' donation, this free-to-enter museum captivates with its unique typological arrangement: instead of ordering artefacts by geography or date, objects are grouped by use. This means you'll find musical instruments, weaponry, or tools from vastly different societies displayed side-by-side, offering fascinating cross-cultural comparisons of human ingenuity. The dimly lit, historic galleries with their original wooden display cabinets are densely packed, creating an immersive atmosphere often likened to an exotic flea market.

One unmissable highlight is the towering 11.36-metre Haida totem pole from British Columbia. While the famous shrunken heads (tsantsa) are no longer on general display due to ethical considerations, their legacy contributes to the museum's intriguing reputation. The collections are constantly evolving with ongoing research and new acquisitions, ensuring there's always something fresh to discover. A vibrant programme of special exhibitions, such as "Hawai'i: Ma uka to Ma kai" (running until June 2025), talks, and family-friendly events further enriches each visit, making it a continued exploration of human culture. This distinctive approach and the sheer density of items, from everyday tools to objects of ritual significance, solidify its status as a world-leading anthropological museum.

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Location

Opening Hours

Monday: 12:00 – 5:00 PM; Tuesday: 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM; Wednesday: 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM; Thursday: 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM; Friday: 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM; Saturday: 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM; Sunday: 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM

Contact

+44 1865 613000