Ure Museum of Greek Archaeology

The Ure Museum of Greek Archaeology is a university museum in Reading housing more than 3,000 objects from Mediterranean civilizations. The collection includes ceramics, metalwork, stone artifacts, and a mummified cat head from ancient Egypt.

Percy Ure founded this museum in 1922 at the University of Reading, building on an initial donation of Egyptian antiquities by Hilda Petrie from 1909. These early pieces formed the foundation for the collection's growth over the following decades.

The collection displays Greek and Etruscan ceramics alongside terracotta figures, showing how craftsmanship held an important place in these ancient cultures. Visitors also see bronze jewelry and musical instruments that offer insight into daily life and preferences of these peoples.

The museum is located on the ground floor of the Edith Morley Building and is easy to find. Entry is free and regular tours plus activities for young archaeologists are offered.

The museum collaborates with international scholars through digital research initiatives that make the collection accessible online. This allows researchers worldwide to engage with the objects without needing to visit in person.

Location: Reading

Inception: 1922

Founders: Percy Ure

Official opening: 1922

Operator: University of Reading

Address: Department of Classics, School of Humanities, Reading RG6 6AA

Website: https://collections.reading.ac.uk/ure-museum

GPS coordinates: 51.44121,-0.94539

Latest update: December 12, 2025 09:08