The Oriental Museum is the only museum in the North of Britain devoted entirely to the art and archaeology of the Orient. Our Chinese and Egyptian collections are among the finest to be found anywhere in Britain.
Visitors can explore galleries devoted to China, Ancient Egypt, Korea, Japan, India and Tibet, the Islamic World and South East Asia. Use the links on the left to help you find information to plan your visit or explore our collections.
Traces and Revelations
Come and see the thought-provoking new exhibition by internationally renowned Palestinian artists Hazem Harb and Mohammed Joha.
Find out more on our exhibitions page.
Family Fun for Easter
Keep the family happy this Easter with a trip to the Oriental Museum to take part in our free family activities.
Find out more on our What's On page.
Family Activities
Visit our What's on page for information about our family activities. Come along and enjoy our children's craft activities every Saturday afternoon.
Find out about our weekly club 'The Little Dragons', especially for 0-5 year olds.
Current exhibitions
Reinterpreting the Korean Moon Jar
28 February - 13 July 2014
An installation by Korean artist Hyosun Kim within the Korean Gallery at the Oriental Museum.
The copper plates from Kollam: using a 9th century legal document to explore the medieval Indian Ocean World
6th January - 27th April 2014
Traces and Revelations
4th April 2014 - 5th October 2014
Mohammed Joha and Hazem Harb are artists who were both born in Gaza, Palestine. This exhibition explores the work of these two exciting contemporary artists.
Shifting Sands
4th April 2014 - 5th October 2014
This is an exhibition of rare and beautiful photographs from Sudan taken by the anthropologist Ian Cunnison.
For more information see our Exhibitions page.
Visitor Attractions at Durham University
Find out about what you can do whilst you're in Durham including visiting the Botanic Garden, Durham Castle, Palace Green Library and the Oriental Museum.
Friends of the Oriental Museum
Would you like to become a 'Friend' of the Oriental Museum? Free entry to the Museum, discounts in the Oriental Museum shop and invitations to advance previews of our exhibitions are just three of the benefits our 'Friends' receive. Find out how you can support the Oriental Museum by becoming a Friend of the Oriental Museum.
Treasures of the Oriental Museum
This book includes 50 short essays highlighting some of the treasures of the Oriental Museum collections. Written by artists, curators, researchers, students and collectors from the UK and around the world, the essays offer a wide range of viewpoints on this enormously varied and fascinating collection accompanied by all new colour photography.
Treasures of the Oriental Museum is now available to order online via Durham University's Online shop.
@dumuseums
Durham University is home to two very different museums: the Oriental Museum and the Museum of Archaeology.
- #OnThisDay 1738 Northern magnate/banker John Cookson's 1st investment - founds Crown & Plate Glass Works in S Shields http://t.co/y9vWFuGpJU
Tweeted 1 hour ago - Tomorrow why not come and see our Terracotta Warriors, & enjoy chinese crafts, drop in 1-3pm http://t.co/GS4K7ytEMg http://t.co/0q9iUwIbrV
Tweeted 2 days ago - Filing? http://t.co/whNplLZHrg There are about 40 of these boxes - all 'used' as in pic - on offer now @PalaceGreenLibrary Help yourself...!
Tweeted 2 days ago - @dumuseums Little Dragons on Wednesday at 10am @dumuseums, £1 per child. Come and join in with the fun activities.
Tweeted 3 days ago
Contact Details
Elvet Hill
Durham DH1 3TH
UK
T: +44 191 334 5694
F: +44 191 334 5640
