Nicholson Museum

The Nicholson Museum is an archaeological museum within the University of Sydney that houses around 30,000 objects from the Mediterranean and Near East. The collection spans five distinct sections: Near Eastern, Cypriot, Classical, European prehistory, and Egyptian materials.

The museum was established in 1860 when Sir Charles Nicholson donated hundreds of Egyptian antiquities, Greek vases, and prehistoric objects. This founding collection became the basis for the institution now housed within the university.

The collections display objects from various ancient civilizations, showing how different peoples lived and organized their societies through everyday items like pottery, tools, and religious objects. Visitors can see how trade and cultural exchange connected distant regions across the ancient world.

The museum is located within the university campus and is accessible on foot from the main grounds. Guided tours can be arranged for groups, making it easy to learn about the collections during a campus visit.

The museum holds a larger-than-life marble statue of Hermes, one of the most striking sculptures on display. It also preserves the wooden coffin of Padiashakhet with mummy remains, frequently featured in photographs by visitors.