Taxonomy in the field of biology is a practice with a long history, starting with Aristotle to Linnaeus and from them to our times. The Greek philosopher Aristotle (384–322 BC) was among the first who tried to provide a system of classification for animals and plants. It is telling that even the word taxonomy itself has …
During an excavation in 1875 at the site of what is now York Railway Station, an auburn knot of hair was discovered within a decorated lead coffin, fastened by pins of Whitby jet. It was cut from the head of a young woman who lived between 250 and 410 BC. It is now on display at the Yorkshire …
We recently welcomed English Literature students from the University of York to the Yorkshire Museum for a tour of our Roman galleries. Following the visit, Hannah Lucas wrote this blog exploring how ancient literature can change our understanding of objects. I must admit, I can’t say I’ve ever really wondered about Romano-British burial …
We recently welcomed English Literature students from the University of York to the Yorkshire Museum for a tour of our Roman galleries. Following the visit, Ellie Carrier wrote this blog exploring how ancient literature can change our understanding of objects. In the 21st century, the fashion industry is influenced by celebrities such as Kim Kardashian, …
This blog was researched and written by Louisa Emms, a Masters student at the University of Leicester who recently completed a student placement at the Yorkshire Museum. Click on the images for a larger view. The theme of the display case is saints in medieval society. The purpose behind this foyer case display was …
This blog was researched and written by Louisa Emms, a Masters student at the University of Leicester who recently completed a student placement at the Yorkshire Museum. Click on the images for a larger view.
Reading decoloniality in the portrait of Captain John Foote by Joshua Reynolds, c. 1765 By Kuhu Kopariha The portrait of Captain John Foote wearing a Jama by Joshua Reynolds is a complex painting, not least because it is one of the earliest examples of cultural cross-dressing in English society. Here John Foote, a friend and neighbour …
The story of York Castle Prison is the story of the people whose lives it touched. Over the centuries, hundreds of people worked at York Castle, from cleaners to surgeons to gaolers. Most of the staff were men, and we know a little about some of them, but information about women staff members is a …
The Yorkshire Museum’s collections were begun in 1822 by the Yorkshire Philosophical Society (YPS). Every one of the hundreds of thousands of objects in the collections today has a story behind it. Some of our biology collection was donated by Adam Gordon, one of the most well-respected figures in Yorkshire in the 20th century.
A Green Father Christmas? This beautiful Victorian Christmas card dates from the last half of the 19th century, somewhere between 1870 and 1895. Father Christmas is wearing a green felt coat and is conversing with a robin. This is a useful resource because it highlights some of the imagery around Christmas which was discontinued in the 20 …
