Penn Museum

Overview

The Penn Museum (University of Pennsylvania Museum of Archaeology and Anthropology) holds one of the world's finest collections of archaeological and ethnographic artifacts, spanning every continent and over a million objects.

Highlights

• Egyptian Galleries: A 15-ton granite sphinx and mummies in the newly renovated Africa Galleries.
• Mesopotamian Collection: Artifacts from the ancient city of Ur, including the Ram in a Thicket.
• Chinese Rotunda: A monumental 13th-century Chinese palace hall reconstructed inside the museum.

History

Founded in 1887 to house artifacts from the University of Pennsylvania's archaeological excavations, the museum has sponsored over 400 expeditions to every inhabited continent. Its collections include over a million objects.

Visitor Tips

• The Egyptian galleries alone justify the visit — allow at least 30 minutes for that section.
• Free on first Sundays of the month.
• Duration: 1–1.5 hours.