Collections
The Yorkshire Museum's collections have all been awarded 'designated' status for their national and international importance.
Our collections include the thousands of items on display in the museum and many more items that are behind the scenes in storage.
This section gives an overview of everything, both on display and off.
Archaeology
Our archaeology collection of nearly one million objects ranges from the earliest prehistoric finds up until the twentieth century and is the one of the most comprehensive in a regional British museum outside London. View Collection
Astronomy
The York Observatory, in the Museum Gardens, is the major part of our Astronomy Collection. It was built in 1832 and 1833 and is the oldest working observatory in Yorkshire. View Collection
Biology
Over the last 180 years the Yorkshire Museum has amassed a biology collection which now contains over 200,000 specimens from all the major biological groups. View Collection
Geology
Our outstanding geology collection includes minerals, rocks and fossils from across Britain and the world, and covers everything from gems to meteorites. View Collection
Star Objects
This section highlights objects which are rare, beautiful, interesting, or tell a story. In many cases they are not always on display and our website gives us the opportunity to show them to you.
Cave of discovery
Hundreds of fossil teeth and bones from exotic animals found in a cave in North Yorkshire became the first scientific evidence to challenge the traditional view of Biblical creation. View Collection
Extinct rarities
Our two great auks, now an extinct species, are in very good condition and are a rare treasure for a regional museum. View Collection
Mystery object of the month
During 2008 we are spotlighting 12 of our most unusual, obscure and mysterious objects in a special display case in the museum. View Collection
Oshere was here
The York Helmet was found by mechanical digger operator Andy Shaw in May 1982, as builders prepared to start work on a new York shopping centre. View Collection
Our oldest object
The Middlesbrough Meteorite hit the earth in 1881. It is about 4,500 million years old and was formed at the same time as the earth and the solar system. View Collection
Roman Hair
This exceptionally rare hairpiece was discovered in York and probably belonged to a girl who was in her mid-teens when she died. View Collection
Tat or treasure?
A selection of objects that our ancestors would have considered common, every-day items or cheap, quirky souvenirs picked up on their travels. View Collection
The Sword of Mystery
Mystery surrounds this Viking sword which has survived virtually intact for nearly 1,000 years. View Collection
Weapon of War
This sword, first spotted by a nine-year-old boy playing in a stream, is one of the finest Anglian weapons to be found in England. View Collection