United Kingdom Liverpool Merseyside Museum

Garstang Museum of Archaeology

About

Garstang Museum of Archaeology, housed at the University of Liverpool, is one of Merseyside’s most compelling small museums, distinguished by its world‑class collections from Egypt, Sudan and the Near East. Founded in 1904 by pioneering archaeologist John Garstang, it grew directly from his excavations at sites such as Beni Hasan, Abydos, Meroe and Jericho, making it one of Britain’s earliest centres of scientific archaeology. Inside, visitors encounter an exceptional Egyptian collection spanning the Predynastic era to the Late Period, including pottery, shabtis, amulets, canopic jars, mummy cases and human remains. The museum’s Nubian material, much of it from the royal cemetery at Meroe, is considered among the finest outside Sudan. A highlight is the Egyptian Afterlife gallery, where an authentic mummy and funerary objects illustrate ancient beliefs about death and rebirth. The museum also preserves rich archival material—photographs, field notes and drawings from Garstang’s expeditions—offering insight into early archaeological practice. The building itself has a story: damaged during the 1941 Liverpool Blitz, its collections were evacuated for safety before being rehoused at Abercromby Square, where the museum remains today.

Liverpool United Kingdom

Location

The Garstang Museum of Archaeology is a hidden gem located on the campus of the University of Liverpool in Merseyside. You will find it tucked away in a Georgian townhouse overlooking a peaceful garden square. Its address is 14 Abercromby Square, University of Liverpool, Liverpool, L69 7WZ, United Kingdom. Founded back in 1904, the museum is home to a fantastic collection of ancient artefacts from Egypt, Sudan, and the Near East, including ancient mummies, pottery, and delicate wooden carvings. It is a brilliant spot for anyone curious about ancient civilizations and archaeological history. Because the museum sits near central Liverpool, there are plenty of notable cultural spots and landmarks right around the corner. A short walk brings you to the Victoria Gallery and Museum, a stunning red-brick university building packed with art and curious historic displays. The magnificent Liverpool Metropolitan Cathedral and the grand Liverpool Cathedral are both nearby, framing the famous Hope Street area.If you venture toward the city center and the iconic waterfront, you can visit the World Museum, which houses broader natural history and culture exhibits, as well as the Walker Art Gallery. Further down toward the River Mersey, the historic Royal Albert Dock features the Merseyside Maritime Museum, the International Slavery Museum, and The Beatles Story.