Knowledge Gallery

Reading Room of the Great Library at the British Museum seen from the Entrance, c1935

Reading Room of the Great Library at the British Museum seen from the Entrance, c1935. The circular Reading Room of the British Museum in central London was designed by Sydney Smirke (1798-1877). Construction began in 1854 and was completed in 1857. The Reading Room used to be the main reading room of the British Library. Famous users include Karl Marx, Lenin, Ghandi, Oscar Wilde, Rudyard Kipling and Virginia Woolf. From "Wonderful London, Volume 3", edited by Arthur St John Adcock. [The Fleetway House, London, c1935]

© The Print Collector/Heritage Images

One of the colossal statues of the god Thoth, in his baboon aspect, at Hermopolis Magna

One of the colossal statues of the god Thoth, in his baboon aspect, at Hermopolis Magna. Hermopolis was the capital of the 15th Upper Egyptian nome and was dedicated to the cult of Thoth. During Ptolemaic times the Greek god Hermes took the attributes of Thoth, hence the name Hermopolis (city of Hermes) . Culture: Ancient Egyptian Date/Period:c. 1370BC, reign of Amenhotep III. Place of Origin: Hermopolis Magna. Credit Line: Werner Forman Archive. Location: 34B

© Werner Forman Archive / Heritage-Images

Relief carving depicting the ruler Itzamna sitting on a throne holding a vision serpent

Relief carving depicting the ruler Itzamna sitting on a throne holding a vision serpent. Itzamna was known as the god of creation and the god of the sky and the earth. It was believed that he brought maize and cacao and taught script, healing and the use of calendars. This particular carving is a tablet, a smaller version of a much larger work. Country of Origin: Mexico. Culture: Maya. Date/Period: very Early Classic 1st C to 250 AD. Material Size: limestone, h = 11cms, w = 7.5cms. Credit Line: Werner Forman Archive/ David Bernstein, New York . Location: 12

© Werner Forman Archive / Heritage-Images