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maacambridge.bsky.social
Museum of Archaeology and Anthropology
@maacambridge.bsky.social
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Museum of Archaeology and Anthropology, telling two million years of human history 🗺

Website: maa.cam.ac.uk/
Collections: collections.maa.cam.ac.uk/
Blog: maadigitallab.org/
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The object record for this glass negative describes it as "a group of British? soldiers, possibly in World War I uniforms, standing to attention in courtyard". Another copy of this image appears elsewhere online with the caption 'Rupert Brooke and Rugby Cadet Corps c.1906'. 1/3
A group of soldiers in uniforms which appear to date around the time of the First World War are standing to attention in courtyard. The lines of soldiers hold bayonet rifles over their left shoulders whilst an officer standing in front of them holds a drawn sword in his right hand.
November 11, 2025 at 12:08 PM
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Who doesn't love a good second-hand book stall? We have an amazing selection ready for our Winter Craft Market (Sunday 9 November 2025, 10am-12:30pm), with a stylish range of handmade bags to carry your new reads home with you. 1/2
David Hockney's 'A Yorkshire Sketchbook' is displayed on top of a bag featuring leaves in various shades of green. The book has a watercolour landscape on the front whilst the bag is made from recycled material. A book titled 'Liberty Style', which features a fashion photo of a woman in a long dress seated on a couch on the front cover, lies on top of a bag made from a combination of recycled fabric. A denim pocket decorates the top right corner of the bag. Susie Dent's 'Guilty by Definition' is displayed on top of a bag made from recycled fabric. The book shows and open book on the front cover and the bag features a series of spirals arranged in square and circular patterns. A book titled 'The Lost Princess', one of the Rosewood Chronicles, sticks out from inside a small fluffy purple bag which has two pompoms attached.
November 7, 2025 at 10:06 AM
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There's still time to book your place in our Japanese winter coasters workshop! 1/2

🗓️ 8 November 2025, 10am-12:30pm
📍 Museum of Archaeology and Anthropology
🎟️ £40pp (refreshments included)

📸 Image credits: Sarah-Cate Blake
A star-shaped template and partially embroidered coaster lying on an open book.
November 6, 2025 at 2:43 PM
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In our latest blog post University of Cambridge researchers Katherine Enright and Liana Chua explore how colonial collecting reclassified Indigenous foods (such as tiger milk mushrooms and edible bird’s nests) and rituals as charms, specimens, and commodities: www.maadigitallab.org/blog/2025/11...
A mushroom with a long stem and slightly concave cap stands on a workbench in the museum's offsite store.
November 5, 2025 at 10:13 AM
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Museums "hold and care for collections that are highly complex. Further engagement and curation with communities can change the way people view and deepen the meanings to what they think they see." This is what artist Taloi Havini wants visitors to the Fault Lines exhibition at MAA to take away. 1/2
Three women sit on a bench whilst two more adults and a child lean on the back of the back of it. The woman seated in the centre holds a tablet containing images of museum collections which she is sharing with the others.
November 4, 2025 at 4:00 PM
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It's #AskAConservatorDay, so we sat down with CeeCee, a 2nd year MSc student from Durham University, to discover why she chose to study conservation, what she hopes to learn from her work experience placement at MAA, and much more!
youtu.be/Vz3J0KnTgq8
Ask a Conservator Day 2025
YouTube video by Museum of Archaeology and Anthropology, Cambridge
youtu.be
November 4, 2025 at 10:00 AM
Reposted by Museum of Archaeology and Anthropology
camunivmuseums.bsky.social
Introducing a new tour series: African Legacies in Cambridge Museums, led by Uncomfortable Cambridge.

Join a thought-provoking journey into African collections & histories within the University.

Find out more & book your place on an upcoming tour: bit.ly/4hImkur
A montage of five images showing group tours taking place in the Museum of Zoology, Museum of Archaeology and Anthropology and the Fitzwilliam Museum.
November 3, 2025 at 5:00 PM
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It's Halloween so we're taking a look at this stunning and 'Memento Mori' ring. `this beautiful piece of jewellery would have served as a reminder to its wearer that life is short and everyone must die. 1/3
A gold signet finger ring depicting a skull which is surrounded by the words 'Memento Mori'.
October 31, 2025 at 10:00 AM
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We've got a lot of exciting events coming up!

From drop-in family craft sessions during October half term to learning Japanese embroidery techniques and a Winter Craft Market, there's something for everyone at MAA over the next four weeks.

To find out more visit our website: maa.cam.ac.uk/events
A little girl making tissue paper flowers, a star-shaped embroidered coaster and template lying on an open book, the museum's galleries with a totem pole rising between floors, and an advert for a Winter Craft Market taking place at the museum on 9 November 2025, 12-5pm.
October 29, 2025 at 10:00 AM
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Our 2nd floor gallery has been transformed, and we're set to celebrate #DiaDeLosMuertos (#DayOfTheDead)!

Thank you to Cambridge University Mexican Society for allowing us to host their altar. It will remain on display until 09/11/2025, so if you're in Cambridge make sure you drop by - entry is free
The museum gallery brightly decorated to celebrate the Day of the Dead with colourful paper-cut bunting strung overhead and a three-tier altar at the far end of the room. Hangings featuring fully-clothed skeletons are attached to pillars.
October 28, 2025 at 12:02 PM
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We're delighted to have CeeCee, a conservation student from Durham University, with us on a work experience placement and can't wait to see what she gets up to during her time with us! 1/2
October 27, 2025 at 10:00 AM
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Scorpio is the 8th astrological sign in the zodiac, so today we naturally had to search our collections database for scorpions! This mrammuo was used as a measure for weighing gold dust by the Asante, who view scorpions as symbols of power.
A scorpion made from brass with six legs and a tail curved over its body. The body is decorated raised bands consisting of two twisted bands alternating with one smooth.
October 24, 2025 at 9:00 AM
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Día de los Muertos (#DayOfTheDead) is nearly here!

This popular Mexican festival celebrates the memories of those who have passed and pokes fun at death. Get in the spirit of the occasion and celebrate by joining us on 30 and 31 Oct, 1-3pm, and 1 Nov 2025, 10am-4pm, for free family craft activities
A little girl with her tongue slightly poking out in concentration sits at a table surrounded by other children and adults as she creates a flower using tissue paper.
October 22, 2025 at 2:51 PM
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In our latest blog post architectural historian Haziq Khairi explores how Walter Skeat’s records of Malay wedding decorations show how ceremonial objects (including some cared for by MAA) transformed homes into vibrant sites of celebration: www.maadigitallab.org/blog/2025/10...
A man, woman, and child seated in front of a dais. Displayed on the dais is a woven mat and three marriage pillows standing upright in a row with two candlesticks in front of them.
October 22, 2025 at 9:00 AM
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In a blog post for the IndiGen project Dr Anita Herle, Senior Research Fellow and Emeritus Professor, discusses how the publication of Alfred Haddon's 1888-98 journals in 2020 revealed the value of ethnographic archives for research and community empowerment: www.indigen.eu/blog/returni...
A Senior Elder and the author of the blog post sit side by side at a table, smiling. The are holding a book titled 'Recording Kastom: Alfred Haddon’s Journals from the Torres Strait and New Guinea, 1888 and 1898'.
October 21, 2025 at 3:10 PM
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Diwali is associated with Lakshmi, the Hindu goddess of wealth and inviting her into your house during the celebrations is a symbol of good fortune. The lotus flower she sits on and the elephants (representing the monsoon rains) which she holds in her hands are symbols of abundance.
Happy #Diwali!
A figure of a four-armed goddess seated on a lotus flower with her legs crossed. She holds two elephants in her back hands which in turn support a vessel on her head.
October 20, 2025 at 9:08 AM
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This striking fabric was created by the Guna people of Panama with layered fabric that is cut away to create the intricate patterns. Textiles like this are used to make molas, a shirt-like garment worn by women.

We're not sure whether this complex design is a bat or a bird. What do you think?
A rectangular panel of reverse appliqué fabric with a background of blue fabric and a pattern built up using red and orange material. The design includes a large, winged creature.
October 16, 2025 at 9:07 AM
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The West Tofts hand axe, with its fossilised shell, is one of the most popular objects on display at MAA. It has been assumed that the position of the shell was an aesthetic choice by the axe's creator, but this interpretation has been challenged. What do you think? 1/2
A flint hand axe shaped around a fossil shell, which is located centrally on one face.
October 15, 2025 at 9:00 AM
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Join us for 4 sessions of deepening mindfulness practice in the tranquil environment of the MAA galleries after hours.

Starting on 23/10/2025 these half hour sessions will offer an opportunity to find quiet as you slow down towards the end of a busy day and focus on your positive wellbeing. 1/2
A Buddha statue, with a serene expression on his face, seated in a museum on open display.
October 13, 2025 at 3:01 PM
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There's something deeply satisfying about watching Lily, our Senior Teaching and Collections Assistant in Archaeology, create a new storage solution for a collection of pottery sherds.
October 13, 2025 at 9:25 AM
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We are delighted to be hosting our first Winter Craft Market on 9 November, 12pm-5pm!

From hand woven basketry and beautiful jewellery to stunning prints, luxurious skin and haircare products, and much more. We'll even have a second-hand book stall - with fiction, non-fiction, and children's books.
Presents, gift tags, a jumper, and stars and the words "Winter Craft Market 9 November 2025 12pm-5pm". Four cards arranged in a grid and featuring designs which are intended to confuse as the shapes appear, due to shading, to be impossible. A basket woven from reeds with a long leather strap standing upright from the top. Silver jewellery lying on bark. The pair of earrings are shaped like flowers whilst the pendant features seed heads and a small bird.
October 10, 2025 at 1:59 PM
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Thanks to the amazing work of the Photographic Collections team, including many volunteers and interns, we have now digitised and catalogued 90% of the Photography Collections - that's around 160,000 images!

Join us in congratulating the team on this remarkable achievement and their hard work. 1/2
A group in formal wedding clothing including the bride and groom. Some of the guests are smiling, but most of the part look serious.
October 10, 2025 at 10:29 AM
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Discover how volcanic landscapes and the near total absence of Torres Strait Islander women from the historical records of the 19th century impacted Leah-Lui Chivizhe's choice of objects in Fault Lines. 1/2
A large, framed image of Torres Strait Islands foliage in an exhibition gallery which surrounded by smaller photos of women from the Mer, Dauar, and Waier islands. To the left is a display case containing two stone sculptures, a disc, wooden plaque, and a small box.
October 8, 2025 at 9:19 AM
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Join us in the McDonald Seminar Room on 14 October 2025, 1-2pm, as curator and artist Miriama Bono and artist Tahe Drollet discuss their work, which is featuring in the Tau o Mai | Journeys with Mai exhibition opening at the Fitzwilliam Museum this month.

📸 Image credit: Salvador Brown.
Two contemporary artists. One holds a nose flute to her nose, compressing a nostril with one finger, the other holds a small stool under one arm and has a dog at his feet.
October 7, 2025 at 3:05 PM
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How do we evaluate the impact of the work we do, whether it's an event or a new display? How do we deal with hazards like poisons or radiation in the collections we care for?
Join us tomorrow (8 Oct) for our Access and Engagement Power Hour to discover the answers!

🗓️ 08/10/2025, 2pm
🎟️ Free
🌐 Online
Images of a thermal map showing time spent by visitors at displays in a museum gallery, a UV light being shone on a radioactive glass bead, two visitors engaging with an interactive display, and a conservator shining a light on a leather object.
October 7, 2025 at 10:18 AM