Pitt-Rivers Museum

[Blundstoned Love]

Went to the Pitt-Rivers Museum in Oxford today with Little Boots - what an amazing place.

Full of tools, instruments, weapons, and all sorts of things from across the globe and across the centuries.

It was completely bonkers (in a good way).

Difficult to pick one favourite thing, but if I had to it would be the genuine North American totem pole.

Anyone else been?

 

[tombear]

Aye its a grand place, we go most times we visit the inlaws. My favourite cabinets are the ones full of early lighting and fire lighting gear. They allow photography so I've taken plenty of reference pictures.

Did you see the amazing waterproofs made from some sort of stomach lining, I think. Ground floor far bottom right as you go in?

One thing I want to photograph next time ( batteries died on me) is the woven from wool slings from the Balearic Islands, I suspect they are no different to the ones made back when the Romans recruited auxiliaries there. It had never occurred to me they would use wool.

atb

tom

 

[boatman]

I love it but my wife hates it. She thinks of whole Pacific island cultures being bought up and shipped to Oxford.

 

[Toddy]

If any one spots the illustration that shows a simple stick in the middle and branching out from that are the tools that became the spindle, the spear, the bow, etc., would you pick up a copy for me please ? I think I first saw it on a postcard print.
More than happy to pay costs, postages, etc. and send something good as a thank you too.

cheers,
M

 

[British Red]

Love Pitt Rivers, very atmospheric, went whilst my daughter was at Uni there.

If anyone hasn't seen it

Pitt Rivers Museum by British Red, on Flickr

The seal intestine waterproofs Tom mentioned

Aluet Seal Intenstine Parka by British Red, on Flickr

Some amazing traps

Rat TRap by British Red, on Flickr

Great tools

Pitt Rivers Axe Head by British Red, on Flickr

and macabre items

Pitt Rivers Shrunken Heads by British Red, on Flickr

 

[Tengu]

Oh, yes, who can fail to be delighted by something as subversive as shurken heads?

(Sadly, I have never been, but Im told its a museum for gawping, the best sort of Museum in my opinion.)

 

[Robson Valley]

Great. Can you show us the totem pole?
I can probably read it and also tell you which region it came from.

 

[Buckshot]

It's my local
Brilliant place and excellent reference material

 

[Dave]

Great photos red. Id' love to visit that place. Is it big enough to make a day out of it?

 

[British Red]

Its in the middle of Oxford Dave, so can be combined with plenty of other stuff

 

[tombear]

In the next, well room, but a room as big as a airship hanger ,is the natural history museum, a much lighter, modern and airey place full of animals and rocks. To be honest after going so often we tend to bustle straight past the whale skellingtons and dive into the crowded gloom of the Pitt Rivers.

ATB

Tom

 

[oldtimer]

Don't discount the building itself which is also quirky and fascinating. Fortunately I live only 4 miles away so get to visit often. Each trip reveals something previusly unnoticed before. I particularly recommend visiting with children: their fresh eyes and questions sharpen one's own perceptions.

Dave: as for making a day of it, Oxford and the countryside a around requires not a day, but a lifetime. I've only lived here for 5 years and am just beginning to scratch the surface!

 

[oldtimer]

Don't discount the building itself which is also quirky and fascinating. Fortunately I live only 4 miles away so get to visit often. Each trip reveals something previusly unnoticed before. I particularly recommend visiting with children: their fresh eyes and questions sharpen one's own perceptions.

Dave: as for making a day of it, Oxford and the countryside a around requires not a day, but a lifetime. I've only lived here for 5 years and am just beginning to scratch the surface!

 

[bigbear]

Yes, when I lived there it saved my sanity on many a weekend when I could not get away climbing. Hours of fun.

 

[Blundstoned Love]

Over 24 hours later and it's still going round in my head.

I actually took a camera and a note/sketch book, but used neither - I was too busy trying to take it all in.

Plus I was chasing after Little Boots who was zooming all over the place.

Next time I need to go alone and for half a day.

 

[Blundstoned Love]

It's a bit bizarre, but nearly a week later I'm still pondering some of the things I saw.

It wasn't just gawping though, I did learn something.

A while back I made a bull-roarer, but it didn't work very well.

At the Pitt-Rivers they have a glass case full of them, and I realised straight away that mine was way too thick.

Just goes to show that no matter how much online research you do it's not substitute to seeing something first hand.

 

[Wayne]

Everyone interested in native skills and bows should visit. Do they still have the shrunken heads?

 

[Buckshot]

Yes quite a few
Very interesting place

 

[British Red]

Everyone interested in native skills and bows should visit. Do they still have the shrunken heads?

Yep, and the horned human skulls.

 

[Tank]

I cant remember if I posted these up in the past but here are some photos from my visit last year. So i hope you dont mind me adding to this tread, it is well worth a visit