Petrie Museum of Egyptian Archaeology
⭐ Highlights
Tarkhan Dress
Oldest surviving woven garmentA linen shirt from c. 3000 BC—creases and hems from a life once lived, not a pharaoh’s tomb.
📍 Early Egypt cases, textiles section
Fayum Portraits
Ancient naturalism that stares backLifelike encaustic faces that once wrapped mummies—individuals, not icons.
📍 Roman Egypt gallery
Tools & Everyday Tech
How civilisation is built: one tool at a timeFrom flint blades to copper chisels—micro-innovations that made pyramids possible.
📍 Predynastic to New Kingdom cases
Amulets & Faience
Belief made portableHippos, scarabs, and protective deities mass-produced in glittering blue-green faience.
📍 Small finds cases
Opening Hours
🤓 Fun Facts
The museum’s linen ‘Tarkhan Dress’ is over 5,000 years old—the world’s oldest tailored garment with seams and a fitted neck.
Sir Flinders Petrie pioneered ‘sequence dating’—using pottery styles to date sites—foundations of modern archaeological method.
Only around 10% of the Petrie collection is on display at any time, yet it still feels densely packed.
