Human world

Asia

Here you will discover how Asia has traded with the West for over 2000 years.

You will find artefacts that were bought and sold, and ideas and beliefs that were shared along a network of roads called the Silk Road.

You will see how European traders arrived in the 16th century and colonised many Asian countries for profit in the 19th century.

The artefacts will show you:

• how they were made and used
• why some were exported from Asia to the west
• how they came to this museum in the 19th century
• that the issues they raise are still important today

Follow the links in the navigation panel to explore just some of our collections.