Books published by British Museum Press

John White's watercolours of the flora, fauna and North Carolina Algonquians he encountered on the expedition sent by Walter Raleigh in 1585 are some of the greatest treasures of the British Museum; engraved by Theodor de Bry in 1590 to illustrate Thomas Harriot's A Briefe and True Report of the New Found Land of Virginia , they informed and ...

Twelve papers by leading international scholars on the theme of the cultural, regional and personal identity of the Etruscans.

The British Museum's collection of Japanese coins is one of the best outside Japan. Many of the coins were originally in the collection of Japan's renowned numismatist and collector, Kutsuki Masatsuna (1750-1802), and were acquired by the British Museum in the 1880s.

The book discusses and catalogues Charles Masson's 1833-8 collections from the urban site of Begram and Kabul bazaar now in the British Museum, supplemented by illustrated coins recorded in Masson's archival manuscripts and in H.H. Wilson, but no longer in the collection.

From AD 500-1000, the Indian Ocean emerged as a global commercial centre, and by around 750-800 a sophisticated trade network had been established. However, the Indian Ocean's commercial system has been understudied. This book documents the unique significance of ceramic finds as an indicator of long-term changes in the scale of maritime exchange

For 7,000 years seals have functioned as signs of authority. This publication deals specifically with aspects of status in the history of seals, exploring this theme across a diverse range of cultural contexts-from the 9th century up to the Early Modern period, and, across the world, looking at Byzantine, European, Islamic and Chinese examples.

This fascinating new publication considers how the discovery of Etruscan artefacts has inspired artists, architects, nobility, scholars and travellers to Italy.

Establishing the collection of Islamic artefacts at the British Museum is explored as a rewarding and challenging process in this enlightening look at the journey towards setting up a new museum.

Offers new perspectives on Buddhist relics and reliquaries, including a discussion of what constitutes a relic, as well as an analysis of the terminology related to relic worship. Other chapters focus on the placement and treatment of relics in situ as well as the spread of Buddhism to Burma and the vibrant relic culture that has been found there.

Millions of Chairman Mao badges were produced during China's Cultural Revolution, and were worn by almost all Chinese people, from Premier Zhou Enlai down to the smallest child.

The Hoxne treasure, a spectacular collection of gold and silver coins, gold jewellery and silver artefacts, was buried early in the 5th century AD, and was rediscovered in November 1992.

Presents the findings from new specialist studies of the Waddesdon Bequest, a collection of nearly 300 objects from the New Smoking Room at Waddesdon Manor, bequeathed to the British Museum in 1898 by Baron Ferdinand de Rothschild.

This volume presents the results of the studies undertaken by Pre-Construct Archaeology during redevelopment of the British Museum, and in so doing details the evolution of this area of London from the Roman period into modern times.

Stamp seals were used in a similar way to modern signet rings: a negative object used to impress a design into another material, often clay.

A landmark publication¿beautifully illustrated with over 300 prints from the British Museum¿s renowned collection¿which traces the history of printmaking from its earliest days until the arrival of photography.

This book will investigate the most interesting and bountiful hoard discoveries as well as studying the practise of hoarding itself. Exploring the great variety of hoards all the way from Bronze-Age weapon deposits, Greek and Roman coin hoards, impressive Viking wealth, to gold sovereigns hidden in the twentieth century, this book will consider who was responsible for the hoarding, and why they might have been compelled to do so. These motivations may shed light on times of economic upheaval or reveal more complex social and ritual customs.