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Museum of Archaeology
Three children sat in a gallery within the Museum of Archaeology

About Our Collections

The main focus of our collections is the archaeology of North East England but the collection also includes national and international material, much of it excavated by members of Durham University’s Department of Archaeology.

Learn more about the history of the museum
A coloured photograph showing several broken and complete bronze age swords and axes.
Prehistoric
Seven pieces of Ancient Greek ceramics, on a graduated background. Ceramics include a wine cup, oil containers, and ointment pots.
Ancient Greek
A coloured photograph of a number of objects found by divers in Piercebridge. Objects in the photograph include a spoon, scale armour, rings, coins, a fish hook, brooches and even the sole from a shoe.
Roman
The top of cross with carved decoration set against a white and black graduated background.
Early Medieval
A large metal cauldron, with 3 legs and two handles and round body sitting in front of a graduated background.
Medieval
A coloured photograph showing a brown ceramic dish which has been divided into two parts dish which has been reconstructed, there is also yellow decoration along the edge.
Post-Medieval

Durham University also holds archives and special collections at Palace Green Library, and additional museum collections at our Oriental Museum, Durham Castle, and in our Art Collection.  

You can access our online database to find out more about individual objects. 

Find out more about researching the collections.

Coloured photograph of two students sitting in the Museum of Archaeology.