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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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As today is #Thanksgiving we had to share something which represented an animal very closely associated with the holiday - this magnificent turkey-shaped effigy jar.
An oval jug with a base and tall rim that has the head, wings, and tail feathers of a turkey moulded onto the sides. The clay has been textured for the skin around the throat and over the break, whilst the design on the wings reflects the zigzag pattern of feathers.
November 27, 2025 at 10:01 AM
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✨ Holiday closing ✨

The Museum of Archaeology & Anthropology will be closed from 5pm on Sunday 21 December and will re-open at 10am on Saturday 3 January 2026.

The museum will also be closed to the general public on Tuesday 6 January 2026. We apologise for any inconvenience caused.
November 25, 2025 at 11:51 AM
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Opening display cases too often can put the objects inside at risk through contact, changes in their environment, and security issues. Our deep cleans whilst we're closed to the public on Mondays allows teams from across the museum to come together to potentially resolve multiple jobs at once.
November 24, 2025 at 10:19 AM
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You've only got a month left to see 'Fault Lines: Imagining Indigenous futures for colonial collections'!

Visitors are describing it as "Very moving", "touching, insightful" and a "powerful message"!

Exhibition closes: 21 December 2025
Kunāne Wooton’s sculpture ʻAuamo No Ka Ulu’ which depicts two kneeling wooden figures holding a cracked piece of volcanic basalt on their shoulders. In the background the exhibition's title, 'Fault Lines' can be seen on a wall. A visitor to the exhibition looks at a short cape in a display case. The cape is made from bright yellow feathers with a pattern created by red feathers. Visitors to the exhibition looking at contemporary art works by Atheana Picha, consisting of handmade blankets, carved pins and painted drums with photographic portraits of community Elders from wearing these works.
November 21, 2025 at 4:11 PM
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What are your picnic essentials? This pair, who we think are
archaeologists looking at the use of terraces as a farming technique in England, would probably say a tin of custard powder!
Two men, one standing and the other lying on the ground, having a picnic, including bread, beer, custard powder, and small campfire, on the banks of a waterway. In the background is a small, moored sailing boat. 
November 21, 2025 at 10:00 AM
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In our latest blog post discover how Barkindji artist David Doyle has collaborated with researcher Eleanor to reconnect collections at MAA with Country, community, and living Indigenous heritage in Far Western New South Wales, Australia:
www.maadigitallab.org/blog/2025/11...
A copper representation of a curved flat throwing stick lying on the dry and cracked ground. The surface is engraved with a singular curvilinear line symbolising a river, with markings representing emu tracks and camps scattered along it. 
November 19, 2025 at 10:15 AM
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Have you seen our new display? Today we're going behind-the-scenes to find out how we installed the 'People of the world' case.

Video description: Museum staff install objects depicting human faces into a display case.
November 17, 2025 at 10:00 AM
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Looking for the perfect gift this winter? We've got you covered with a lovely range of cool blue items! Make sure you drop by our museum shop this weekend and browse our other amazing gift ideas.
#MuseumShop
November 14, 2025 at 10:01 AM
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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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Entry to the museum and the craft market is free, but tickets will need to be booked for timed entry in advance. Book your place now via Eventbrite: www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/maa-winter... 2/2
Presents, gift tags, a jumper, and stars and the words "Winter Craft Market 9 November 2025 12pm-5pm".
November 7, 2025 at 10:06 AM
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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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Spend time drawing inspiration from and sketching objects cared for by the museum before you start to learn the embroidery techniques of boro and sashiko. You will get the opportunity to make two beautiful winter star themed coasters.

Book now: onlinesales.admin.cam.ac.uk/product-cata...
A square fabric coaster embroidered with a star with six points. The are red thread tassels in each corner.
November 6, 2025 at 2:43 PM
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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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Taloi Havini is one of the curatorial collective who created 'Fault Lines: Imagining Indigenous Futures for Colonial Collections'. To read more about her insights into the exhibition head over to the IndiGen project blog: www.indigen.eu/blog/convers... 2/2
Part of the Fault Lines exhibition space which includes a wall mounted TV screen showing an interview with a Sister which forms part of a film created by Taloi Havini. In front of the screen is seating made from a packing crate similar to those used to ship objects from places like Bougainville to museums.
November 4, 2025 at 4:00 PM
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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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The ring's centre rotates to reveal initials which could be those of the owner or someone they wished to remember. Alternatively, the band that entwines them could be a lover's knot instead of a mourning ribbon, so was it used as a betrothal or wedding ring?

What do you think? 3/3
The reverse of a gold ring with a merchant's mark and the monogram 'IP or 'JP'. A lover's knot or mourning ribbon with tassels is entwined around the initials.
October 31, 2025 at 10:00 AM
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As the ring is made from gold it would have been an expensive piece to make, so its owner must have been wealthy providing the added irony that you cannot take earthly riches into the next life. 2/3
A gold signet finger ring with the circular centre partially rotated. On one side it depicts a skull surrounded by the words 'Memento Mori'.
October 31, 2025 at 10:00 AM
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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