Pitt Rivers.

I don't even know what to say about Oxford's Pitt Rivers Museum. I feel like it must drive some people crazy, but it felt like walking around in a wonderful dream. Founded in 1884, it it now home to more than 500,000 archaeological and anthropological artifacts, not arranged chronically, but thematically. Puppets, weapons, costumes, magic, medicine, music, coins, everything imaginable! This was my favorite bit of the trip, but hilariously, all of the photos are pretty rubbish, due to the fact that they keep it terribly dim inside, so dim, in fact, that they recommend borrowing a flashlight from the front desk to really get a peek into all of the cabinets. 

The museum feels like a physical manifestation of a mind's interior; perhaps that's why I love it so. It's all mashed together in a glorious tangle; some bits are brightly lit and well-labelled; others are hidden in darkness, underneath other cabinets, some completely locked away. There's a little bit of everything in there, but there are still a few spaces left for newly acquired items and knowledge. It's the accumulation of a thousand adventures and learning. 

 

 

 

I like the crossing out!