With the lifting of lockdown restrictions across England, the Museum of London and the Museum of London Docklands are set to welcome visitors once again on 19 May 2021, after five months of closure, in accordance with government guidance.
The Museum of London Docklands has announced the extension of several exhibitions and displays, including its exhibition on London’s largest Bronze Age hoard, ‘Havering Hoard: A Bronze Age Mystery’, which will run until 22 August 2021. The remarkable collection of 453 bronze tools and weapons, dating between c. 900-800 BC, which includes axe heads, sword fragments, and daggers, will be on display as part of the exhibition exploring the mystery and meaning surrounding the burial of the hoard.
‘The Krios of Sierra Leone’ display, located within the London, Sugar & Slavery gallery at the Museum of London Docklands, has also been extended until 4 July 2021. The display explores the little-known history, architecture, culture, language, and traditions of the Krio community of Sierra Leone.
The Museum of London Docklands has also announced the reopening of the Mudlarks children’s gallery, and its new interactive elements that will shine a light on the wealth of artefacts unearthed on the foreshore of the Thames.
At the Museum of London, the exclusive display ‘Dub London: Bassline of a City’ has been extended until 5 September 2021. Through its collection of objects and personal stories, the display delves into the cultural phenomenon of dub reggae music in London.
The Museum of London’s director Sharon Ament said: ‘After a year of restrictions and closures, it seems we as a society have never been more aware of just how necessary culture is and how much museums matter.
‘Our teams have been busy behind the scenes readying our sites to safely welcome our visitors once again. From “Havering Hoard: A Bronze Age Mystery” at the Museum of London Docklands to “Dub London: Bassline of a City” at the Museum of London, this will most certainly be the summer to visit us, and we cannot wait to welcome everyone who does.’
Visitors to each museum site will be required to book a free ticket online, in advance. For further information on opening hours and safety measures in place, visit the Museum of London and Museum of London Docklands website. You can read Current Archaeology's 2018 feature on the Havering Hoard here: The Havering hoard | The Past (the-past.com)
