Editing Penn Museum

{{Infobox Museum
| name = Penn Museum
| image =
| image_caption = Penn Museum at the University of Pennsylvania
| type = Archaeology and anthropology museum
| address = 3260 South Street
| neighborhood = University City
| coordinates = 39.9491,-75.1912
| phone = (215) 898-4000
| website = https://www.penn.museum
| established = 1887
| founder = University of Pennsylvania
| director = Christopher Woods
| collections = 1+ million objects from around the world
| visitors = 200,000+ annually
| hours = Tue-Sun 10 AM - 5 PM
}}

'''The Penn Museum''' (formally the '''University of Pennsylvania Museum of Archaeology and Anthropology''') is one of the world's great archaeology and anthropology museums, located on the campus of the [[University of Pennsylvania]] in [[University City, Philadelphia|University City]]. The museum's collections include over one million objects spanning 4,000 years of human history and representing cultures from every inhabited continent. Its extensive galleries feature ancient Egyptian mummies, Mesopotamian treasures from the royal tombs of Ur, monumental Chinese sculptures, and Maya artifacts.<ref name="penn">{{cite web |url=https://www.penn.museum/about-the-museum |title=About the Museum |publisher=Penn Museum |access-date=December 30, 2025}}</ref>

Founded in '''1887''', the Penn Museum has sponsored over 400 archaeological and anthropological expeditions and maintains active research programs around the world. The museum's massive rotunda building, constructed between 1893 and 1929, is an architectural landmark housing galleries that transport visitors from ancient Egypt to imperial China to pre-Columbian America.<ref name="visit">{{cite web |url=https://www.visitphilly.com/things-to-do/attractions/penn-museum/ |title=Penn Museum |publisher=Visit Philadelphia |access-date=December 30, 2025}}</ref>

== History ==

=== Founding ===

The museum was founded in '''1887''' to house objects from the University of Pennsylvania's first archaeological expedition to Nippur in Mesopotamia (modern-day Iraq). The expedition was one of the first American archaeological projects in the Middle East.

=== Building ===

The museum building was designed by architects Wilson Eyre, Cope & Stewardson, and Frank Miles Day. Construction occurred in phases:
* '''1899:''' First section opened
* '''1915:''' Main rotunda completed
* '''1929:''' Final wing completed
* '''2019:''' Major gallery renovations completed

=== Archaeological Expeditions ===

The Penn Museum has sponsored expeditions to:
* '''Mesopotamia:''' Nippur, Ur, Beth Shean
* '''Egypt:''' Memphis, Abydos
* '''Central America:''' Tikal, Piedras Negras
* '''Asia:''' China, Japan, Southeast Asia
* '''Africa:''' Ethiopia, Nigeria

These expeditions built the museum's extraordinary collections.

== Collections ==

=== Egyptian Gallery ===

Major Egyptian holdings include:
* '''Mummies:''' Multiple Egyptian mummies on display
* '''The Sphinx:''' 15-ton granite sphinx from Memphis
* '''Artifacts:''' Funerary objects, jewelry, sculptures
* '''Monumental Art:''' Columns, architectural elements

=== Middle East Galleries ===

Treasures from ancient Mesopotamia:
* '''Royal Tombs of Ur:''' Gold jewelry, musical instruments, gaming boards
* '''Cuneiform Tablets:''' Thousands of ancient texts
* '''Sculptures:''' Assyrian and Babylonian art

=== Africa Galleries ===

Collections representing African cultures:
* Benin bronze sculptures
* Ethiopian art
* Traditional crafts and textiles
* Contemporary African art

=== Asian Galleries ===

Art and artifacts from across Asia:
* '''China:''' Monumental sculpture, ceramics
* '''Japan:''' Armor, prints, decorative arts
* '''South and Southeast Asia:''' Buddhist and Hindu sculpture

=== American Galleries ===

Pre-Columbian and Native American collections:
* Maya stelae and monuments
* Aztec and Zapotec artifacts
* North American indigenous art
* Ancient Peruvian textiles

=== The Rotunda ===

The museum's magnificent central rotunda features a soaring domed space often used for special exhibitions and events.

== Visiting the Penn Museum ==

=== Hours ===

* '''Tuesday-Sunday:''' 10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
* '''Closed:''' Monday (except holiday Mondays)
* Closed major holidays

=== Admission ===

* '''Adults:''' Approximately $18 (check website for current pricing)
* '''Seniors:''' Discounted rates
* '''Students with ID:''' Discounted rates
* '''Children (6 and under):''' Free
* '''Penn students/faculty:''' Free

=== Tips ===

* Allow 2-3 hours for a full visit
* The Egyptian galleries and mummies are highlights
* Rent an audio guide for deeper context
* The museum café is in the beautiful Harrison Rotunda
* Check website for current special exhibitions
* Good for older children and adults

=== Getting There ===

* '''SEPTA Trolley:''' Routes 10, 11, 13, 34, 36 (33rd Street stop)
* '''SEPTA Bus:''' Routes 21, 30, 42
* '''LUCY:''' University City shuttle
* '''Amtrak/SEPTA Regional Rail:''' 30th Street Station (15-minute walk)
* '''Parking:''' Penn parking garages nearby

=== Location ===

Located at 33rd and Spruce Streets on the University of Pennsylvania campus in University City, west of Center City Philadelphia.

=== Nearby Attractions ===

* [[University of Pennsylvania]] (surrounding)
* [[Institute of Contemporary Art]] (10-minute walk)
* [[30th Street Station]] (15-minute walk)
* [[University City, Philadelphia]]

== Research and Scholarship ==

=== Academic Programs ===

The museum is an active research institution:
* Graduate programs in archaeology and anthropology
* Ongoing excavations worldwide
* Publication of scholarly journals
* Conservation and preservation programs

=== Continuing Expeditions ===

The museum continues to sponsor archaeological research in:
* Turkey
* Italy
* Jordan
* Belize
* And other locations

=== Archives and Libraries ===

* Extensive photo and document archives
* Specialized research library
* Access for scholars and researchers

== See Also ==

* [[University of Pennsylvania]]
* [[University City, Philadelphia]]
* [[Archaeology in Philadelphia]]
* [[Institute of Contemporary Art]]

== References ==
<references />

== External Links ==

* [https://www.penn.museum Penn Museum Official Website]
* [https://www.visitphilly.com/things-to-do/attractions/penn-museum/ Visit Philadelphia Guide]

{{#seo:
|title=Penn Museum Philadelphia - Ancient Egypt, Mesopotamia, and World Cultures
|description=Visit the Penn Museum, one of the world's great archaeology museums. Egyptian mummies, treasures from Ur, Maya monuments, and over one million artifacts at the University of Pennsylvania.
|keywords=Penn Museum, University of Pennsylvania Museum, Egyptian mummies Philadelphia, archaeology museum, Mesopotamia artifacts, Maya art, ancient history museum, University City Philadelphia
|type=Article
}}

[[Category:Museums]]
[[Category:University City]]
[[Category:University of Pennsylvania]]
[[Category:Historic Sites]]
[[Category:Archaeology]]