british museum press united kingdom london (223 results)

Paperback. Condition: Very Good. Mehrdokht Amini (illustrator). If you want to know about the ancient Olympic games, ask someone who was there! Who better to ask than Tethys, the grandmother of all the Greek gods. The Greek gods gather on Mount Olympus to watch the games taking place on Earth below. Like any typical family, they revive old rivalries, pick out their favourite competitors, and vie for the best view. Called upon to answer their questions and resolve their squabbles, Grandmother Tethys soothes and distracts them with stories about How the Olympic Games Came To Be. Prompted by the sporting events the gods have been watching down below, these tales reveal the mythical rivalries and adventures of both gods and mortals that inspired the very first Olympic competitions. The gripping text is accompanied by illustrations inspired by ancient Greek objects and designs in the British Museum. The book has been read, but is in excellent condition. Pages are intact and not marred by notes or highlighting. The spine remains undamaged.

Paperback. Condition: Very Good. Persia (ancient Iran) occupies an important place among the great civilizations of the ancient world. The many splendid achievements of the early inhabitants of Iran range from the imaginatively painted pottery of the prehistoric period to the magnificent silver vessels of Sasanian times, and include the Luristan bronzes and the spectacular sculptures of Persepolis. Civilization began early in Iran, as it did elsewhere in the Ancient Near East, and the author traces the history, archaeology and art from the growth of settled communities in about 6000 BC through to the beginning of the Islamic period in the seventh century AD. This introduction is illustrated throughout with many examples drawn from the rich collection of Iranian antiquities in the British Museum. The book has been read, but is in excellent condition. Pages are intact and not marred by notes or highlighting. The spine remains undamaged.

Paperback. Condition: Very Good. Under Moctezuma the mighty Aztec empire reached the height of its power; under Moctezuma, the Aztec empire met its ultimate downfall. The Aztecs ruled from the island metropolis of Tenochtitlan which, by the fifteenth century, stretched from the Gulf Coast to the Pacific Ocean. Focusing on their last elected leader, Moctezuma II, this informative and beautifully illustrated little book explores the world of the Aztecs. It looks at their origins, the founding of their capital city Tenochtitlan, the structure of their society, their religious beliefs and ceremonies, their military prowess, their art and architecture, and their network of long-distance trade and tribute. The dramatic death of Moctezuma at the hands of the Spanish is also recounted. Moctezuma and the Aztecs not only offers a concise portrait of this famous, semi-divine figure but offers a wonderful introduction to a remarkable, sophisticated civilization. The book has been read, but is in excellent condition. Pages are intact and not marred by notes or highlighting. The spine remains undamaged.

Paperback. Condition: Very Good. This is a short, illustrated introduction to the ever-fascinating topic of Egyptian mummies, by an international expert. It is a readable, short, but authoritative overview of Egyptian mummification. It deals with perennially popular topic. It is illustrated throughout in colour. The author, a world expert on Egyptian mummification, addresses the most frequently asked questions about Egyptian mummies: how and why they were made, the religious beliefs which underpinned mummification, the preservation of animals, and how the mummies have been treated from ancient times until the present day. He provides an up to date summary of the ancient evidence, and also considers modern attitudes to Egyptian mummies, emphasising their role as a major source of knowledge and understanding about past societies. The text and illustrations draw heavily on the rich collection of mummies and funerary objects in the British Museum, and the findings of a wide range of recent scientific investigations of this collection. The book will therefore reflect the important advances which have been made in the understanding of Egyptian mummies over the last few years. The Author John H. Taylor is a curator of Egyptian antiquities in the British Museum. The book has been read, but is in excellent condition. Pages are intact and not marred by notes or highlighting. The spine remains undamaged.

Paperback. Condition: Very Good. On 5 July 2009 a metal-detector user started to unearth some gold objects in a Staffordshire field. Thus began the discovery of the largest hoard of Anglo-Saxon gold ever found. Consisting of over 1600 items - including fittings from the hilts of swords, fragments from helmets, Christian crosses and magnificent pieces of garnet work - the Staffordshire Hoard is set to rewrite history. This is just the beginning of the story. `This is going to alter our perceptions of Anglo-Saxon England in the seventh and early eighth centuries as radically, if not more so, as the 1939 Sutton Hoo discoveries did; it will make historians and literary scholars review what their sources tell us, and archaeologists and art-historians rethink the chronology of metalwork and manuscripts; and it will make us all think again about rising (and failing) kingdoms and the expression of regional identities in this period, the complicated transition from paganism to Christianity, the conduct of battle and the nature of fine metalwork production - to name only a few of the many huge issues it raises. Absolutely the metalwork equivalent of finding a new Lindisfarne Gospels or Book of Kells.' [Leslie Webster, former Keeper of the Department of Prehistory & Europe, the British Museum] `The quantity of gold is amazing but, more importantly, the craftsmanship is consummate; this was the very best that the Anglo-Saxon metalworkers could do, and they were very good. Tiny garnets were cut to shape and set in a mass of cells to give a rich, glowing effect; it is stunning. Its origins are clearly the very highest levels of Anglo-Saxon aristocracy or royalty. It belonged to the elite.' [Dr Kevin Leahy]. The book has been read, but is in excellent condition. Pages are intact and not marred by notes or highlighting. The spine remains undamaged.

Paperback. Condition: Very Good. In AD 43, the Emperor Claudius ordered an army of 40,000 to invade Britain. In AD 410, the Emperor Honorius informed the population that Britain was no longer under Roman rule and that they now had to defend themselves. Nor was there any Roman authority to administer the country. Four centuries of a Roman presence in Britain had hitherto changed every aspect of life. Industry, trade, government, the arts, learning - even the physical appearance of the country - were all revolutionized, and the effects are still apparent nearly 2000 years later. This accessible and authoritative history outlines a critical period and provides a picture of life in Britain under Roman rule. The book has been read, but is in excellent condition. Pages are intact and not marred by notes or highlighting. The spine remains undamaged.

Paperback. Condition: Very Good. The book has been read, but is in excellent condition. Pages are intact and not marred by notes or highlighting. The spine remains undamaged.

Paperback. Condition: Very Good. Following the five-day session of the ancient Olympics, this history describes the athletes' training regimes and the events - some familiar, some quite strange - and compares them with their modern counterparts, as well as the traditions and rituals of the ancient Greek ceremonies. The book has been read, but is in excellent condition. Pages are intact and not marred by notes or highlighting. The spine remains undamaged.

Paperback. Condition: Very Good. The Lacock Cup is a rare object with a unique English history. Made in the 1430s, it is one of a handful of pieces of secular silver from the Middle Ages, which both survived the changing culture of Tudor fashion and the turmoil of the Reformation. Originally created as a drinking cup for feasting in the fifteenth century, the Cup later became a sacred chalice for the community of Lacock in Wiltshire at the parish church of Saint Cyriac. With an unbroken local heritage of over 400 years, this piece was a central feature of religious ceremony until the late twentieth century. The remarkable story of this special cup is brought to life in this short and accessible book. Its history, from drinking vessel to holy chalice, opens a window into the culture of late medieval England and having survived the centuries in near perfect condition, it acts as a witness to these times of great change. Charting the journey of the Cup, from fifteenth century medieval society, through the Reformation and later Civil War to the present day, this book will also explore the Cups role as a communion vessel in its local setting of Lacock, and its treatment at the British Museum where it has been on loan since 1962. The Cup remained in irregular use by the parish until the 1980s, and this story of over 500 years of outstanding care and use provides a fitting conclusion to one of Englands most important silver objects. The book has been read, but is in excellent condition. Pages are intact and not marred by notes or highlighting. The spine remains undamaged.

Paperback. Condition: Very Good. Birds are perhaps the most familiar of all animals, living so close to humans, providing companionship with song or with their endlessly active presence. Others, less bold or more remote, prompt us to go out in search of them through their sheer beauty and mystery. The British Museums collections include images of birds from all over the world. Some artists have used them purely for their decorative qualities, as in Indian miniatures and Chinese bird and flower paintings.Thomas Bewick and the Japanese artist Kitagawa Utamaro, in his "Myriad Birds", presented birds in realistic detail as they went about their daily lives, while other artists concentrate on scientific accuracy. The endless variety of birds, their freedom of sky, land, water, and especially their song have also inspired writers. Each image in this anthology is accompanied by a poem or extract from some of our best-loved writers, including Shakespeare, Chaucer and Wordsworth along with contributions from less familiar as well as anonymous writers from across the world. The book has been read, but is in excellent condition. Pages are intact and not marred by notes or highlighting. The spine remains undamaged.

Paperback. Condition: Very Good. There is no correct way to visit the British Museum, which is home to an astonishing range of cultures, periods and types of material - it's up to each visitor, their interests, and how much time and energy they have. This practical guidebook offers 5 tours of major cultural and geographic areas covered by the Museum, supplemented by 10 thematic tours suggesting less obvious ways of viewing some of the thousands of objects on display. The two major new galleries are featured - the award-winning Wellcome Trust Gallery of Living and Dying, and Enlightenment: Discovering the World in the Eighteenth Century. Fully illustrated in colour, including specially designed maps and detailed directions for getting around the Museum, this is a perfect companion for first-time visitors who want to savour the highlights of the collection. The author also provides a variety of ideas for longer or repeat visits to pursue particular interests, and the book can be used to plan in advance. The flexible format makes it easy for any visitor to decide for themselves how long they wish to spend - from as little as an hour to as long as a day. The book has been read, but is in excellent condition. Pages are intact and not marred by notes or highlighting. The spine remains undamaged.

Paperback. Condition: Very Good. The book has been read, but is in excellent condition. Pages are intact and not marred by notes or highlighting. The spine remains undamaged.

Paperback. Condition: Very Good. The Great Court explores the ceation of a unique urban room, the impetus for and background to the project, the competition, the complex design and construction processes, the role of the Museum in London and in the future. This book will be published to mark the opening of The Great Court at the British Museum, but will stand alone as an informative and accessible introduction to the concept of the Great Court and to the architecture itself. The book has been read, but is in excellent condition. Pages are intact and not marred by notes or highlighting. The spine remains undamaged.

Paperback. Condition: Very Good. The book has been read, but is in excellent condition. Pages are intact and not marred by notes or highlighting. The spine remains undamaged.

Paperback. Condition: Very Good. This practical guide is split into seven main sections, each covering a key geographical area or historical period: Africa, the Americas, Ancient Egypt, Ancient Greece and Rome, Asia, Europe, and the Middle East. An introduction to the collections in each of these areas is followed by a curated selection of key objects, arranged by room number to help orientate your visit. Following this are seven themed galleries: Enlightenment, Collecting the World, the Waddesdon Bequest, Living and Dying, Clocks and Watches, Money, and Prints and Drawings. Fully illustrated in colour, there is a complete map of the Museum at the front of the guide, which gives detailed directions. This is a perfect companion for visitors who want to savour the highlights of the collection. The book has been read, but is in excellent condition. Pages are intact and not marred by notes or highlighting. The spine remains undamaged.

Paperback. Condition: Very Good. The book has been read, but is in excellent condition. Pages are intact and not marred by notes or highlighting. The spine remains undamaged.

Paperback. Condition: Very Good. Published to coincide with the first exhibition in the new Great Court exhibition space, opening in November 2000, this book gathers together 60 of the most remarkable representations of the human image from the collections of the British Museum. Chosen from all epochs and civilizations, from prehistory to the present, the images illuminate a number of themes, including abstractions and primitivism; the ideal form; the inscribed body; creation and fertility; gender; monarchs, chiefs and ancestors; guardians and warriors; drapery and dress; altered states; other people; and portraits. The book has been read, but is in excellent condition. Pages are intact and not marred by notes or highlighting. The spine remains undamaged.

Paperback. Condition: Very Good. The book has been read, but is in excellent condition. Pages are intact and not marred by notes or highlighting. The spine remains undamaged.

Paperback. Condition: Very Good. B/w Illustrations (illustrator). Jane Austen wrote her novels in the midst of a large and sociable family. Brothers and sisters, nieces and nephews, friends and acquaintances were always coming and going, and eating and drinking. One of Jane's dearest friends, Martha Lloyd, lived with the family for many years and recorded in her Household Book over 100 recipes enjoyed by the Austens. A selection of the family fare, thoroughly tested and modernised for today's cook, is reproduced here, together with some of the more sophisticated dishes which Jane and her characters would have enjoyed at balls, picnics and supper parties. An introduction describes Jane's own interest in food, as shown both in the novels and in her letters, and explains the social conventions of shopping, eating and entertaining in late Georgian and Regency England. Maggie Black is a food historian and author of The Medieval Cookbook. Deidre Le Faye is an Austenian scholar and author of Jane Austen: A Family Record. The book has been read, but is in excellent condition. Pages are intact and not marred by notes or highlighting. The spine remains undamaged.

Paperback. Condition: Very Good. Beginning with a brief introduction to the basic philosophy of Buddhism and how to read the Buddha image, this text goes on to illuminate the Buddha's past, the fascinating events of his life, a summary of his teachings, the Cosmic Buddhas, paradise, the afterlife and the future. Reflecting the varied and vibrant visual world of Buddhism, each spread is illustrated with an image from the British Museum's extensive collections or a serene atmospheric photograph taken at one of the many Buddhist sites around the world. The book has been read, but is in excellent condition. Pages are intact and not marred by notes or highlighting. The spine remains undamaged.

Paperback. Condition: Good. The book has been read but remains in clean condition. All pages are intact and the cover is intact. Some minor wear to the spine.

Paperback. Condition: Very Good. Mexico has a vast range of festivals, several commemorating national events but mostly religious or spiritual in inspiration. After the Spanish Conquest of 1521, Roman Catholic teachings fused with the beliefs of native civilizations, and even today the popular arts and crafts draw upon the Church as a rich source of imagery. Fiestas are often lavish and extremely costly. With extensive preparations, they commemorate local saints days and religious holidays such as Christmas, Carnival and Holy Week. Many festivals are dominated by masked dances, and the Devil, Death, angels and the Deadly Sins still do battle at fiesta time in countless village squares. During the Days of the Dead (All Saints and All Souls days, 1st and 2nd November), the deceased are thought to visit friends and relatives on earth. Families welcome the returning souls with flowers, incense, candles and feasting. On 12th December, Mexicans everywhere honour Our Lady of Guadalupe, the patron saint of Mexico and an important symbol of national identity. Drawing on her extensive travels in Mexico and the collections she has helped create in the British Museum, Chloe Sayer provides a living context to show what makes these festivities so attractive and also uniquely Mexican. The book has been read, but is in excellent condition. Pages are intact and not marred by notes or highlighting. The spine remains undamaged.

Paperback. Condition: Very Good. The book has been read, but is in excellent condition. Pages are intact and not marred by notes or highlighting. The spine remains undamaged.

Paperback. Condition: Very Good. One in a series of works inspired by the collections of the British Museum, this pocket treasury presents a visual introduction to the chosen theme of cats. A short text accompanies each image which relates its origin, puts it in context, and explains why it is important. The book has been read, but is in excellent condition. Pages are intact and not marred by notes or highlighting. The spine remains undamaged.

Paperback. Condition: Very Good. The book has been read, but is in excellent condition. Pages are intact and not marred by notes or highlighting. The spine remains undamaged.

Paperback. Condition: Very Good. This children's encyclopaedia contains 250 cross-referred entries that survey the art, history, wars, conquests, religion, culture and everyday life of the people of Ancient Rome and of its far-flung empire. It begins with a section of thematic trails to help those unfamiliar with reference books. Ages 10+. The book has been read, but is in excellent condition. Pages are intact and not marred by notes or highlighting. The spine remains undamaged.

Paperback. Condition: Very Good. The book has been read, but is in excellent condition. Pages are intact and not marred by notes or highlighting. The spine remains undamaged.

Paperback. Condition: Very Good. The book has been read, but is in excellent condition. Pages are intact and not marred by notes or highlighting. The spine remains undamaged.

Paperback. Condition: Very Good. Egyptian hieroglyphs unite art and writing in a conscious plan to attain eternal life. The success of that plan can be read in the 3000-year lifespan of Pharaonic tradition, and can only be understood through its religious foundation. This study sets out the history of the texts designed to guarantee life beyond death, from the Pyramid Texts for kings and queens, c. 2400 BC, to the Book of the Dead used by king and subject alike after 1600 BC. The book considers how this literature finally met its end under the combined pressures of Greek-speaking government, Roman occupation, and conversion to Christianity. The book has been read, but is in excellent condition. Pages are intact and not marred by notes or highlighting. The spine remains undamaged.

Paperback. Condition: Very Good. Sixteen pages of stories, games, colouring sheets, maps, puzzles and more make this well-priced book the perfect fun introduction for children to the fascinating and important world of the ancient Greeks. The book has been read, but is in excellent condition. Pages are intact and not marred by notes or highlighting. The spine remains undamaged.