Ever wondered what goes on behind the scenes in a museum's store? Our LATE event is your chance to find out! Explore the store and discover how 300,000+ objects were moved there over a remarkable five year project. Hear from staff involved as they share stories about objects within the collection.

We've been inspired by last night's episode of the Great British Sewing Bee to take a look through the collection of Mexican textiles we care for. One of our favourites has to be this stunning huipil with embroidery that covers the entire surface of the garment.

In our latest blog post follow this tiny ivory sparrow through the history of Japanese netsuke, from practical Edo period fashion accessory to collectible sculpture shaped by global demand and taste: maadigitallab.org/blog/2026/08/04/birdwatching-at-maa-a-baby-sparrow-netsuke/

Are you ready for an afternoon of summer fun? We've got puzzles, challenges, and crafting for all the family in our galleries. Just drop-in, the session is free and there’s no need to book. Not able to make it? Don't worry, we have another drop-in session on 12 August too. #SummerAtTheMuseums

Our @camunivmuseums.bsky.social Museum Experience interns are taking over our socials and they have a puzzle for you... Check the comments below for a hint followed by the answer!

Conservator Ayesha has done an amazing job separating these brooches from their old mounts without damaging them! In case you're wondering why she isn't wearing gloves - Ayesha needs full dexterity of her fingers whilst using the scalpel. She cleaned the surfaces of the objects once she finished.

It's #InternationalTigerDay so we had to share one of the most striking depictions of these majestic creatures in the collections we care for. Made using tiny glass beads it stares out from the back of an ibuk (jacket), watching your every move.

We've got a packed programme of events for you this summer! From free drop-in family activities in the museum galleries tomorrow afternoon (30 July 2026, 2-4pm) to an exciting LATE event at our off-site store, the Centre for Material Culture on 13 August (£5 per person and booking required).

This horse and its rider were made as part of Festa St Angelo celebrations. It was donated to the museum in 1935, meaning it is over 90 years old! But what do you think it's made from? The answer can be found below.

We love the detailed embroidery which decorates this robe. The badge indicating the rank of the robe's owner shows a white bird with a red head, possibly a crane. This would suggest he held the first rank of a civil official.

The beautiful blue that has been used to decorate the head of this pin has been achieved through the art form of tian-tsui which uses iridescent kingfisher feathers. But did you know their iconic blue colour doesn't come from pigment? It's the result of how they reflect light back at us.

This miniature scene has been painstakingly created within half of a pine nut shell. At 1.5cm tall this is one of the smallest artworks in the collections we care for. Would you have the patience to make a piece like this?

Chess is a game of strategy and skill. The fichas (pieces) of this particular set were inspired by the 1862 Battle of Puebla and feature the leaders of the Mexican Republic at war with Maximiliano I’s French imperialists.

There's only a few days left to get tickets for Vox Cantab's performance at MAA! Experience their soaring vocals and uplifting sound within the atmospheric setting of our galleries. 🗓️ 23/07/2026, 7pm 🎟️ Pay as you wish 🔗 Book: www.eventbrite.com/e/1977373787... 📸 Image credit: Vox Cantab

Join us as we take a moment to stop and admire the sunlight in our 2nd floor gallery.

Chamber choir Vox Cantab will be bringing their souring vocals to a mix of choral classics and contemporary pieces in the atmospheric setting of our galleries after hours. 🗓️ 23/07/2026, 7pm 🎟️ Pay as you wish 🔗 Book: www.eventbrite.com/e/1977373787... 📸 Image credit: Vox Cantab

As the goddess of beauty Hathor can often be found depicted on Ancient Egyptian mirrors. She easily identifiable because of her cow ears but she, like this double headed depiction of her, had two sides. Gentle Hathor could become the lioness-headed goddess of war, Sekhmet.

Today we're using one of our postcards as a means of exploring the museum. The dazzling blue which has been used to decorate this gorgeous fèng guàn (phoenix headdress) comes from using kingfisher feathers. Chinese characters show it aws a gift from the Emperor, possibly to an Imperial concubine.

In this hot weather our gorgeous range of fans are currently our favourite items in our gift shop! They come in a wide variety of colours and patterns, and if we happen to own more than one - well it just means we can coordinate with our outfit or lend one to a friend!

We've got afternoons full of puzzles, challenges, and crafts for all the family taking place at both the Museum and our off-site store this summer! #SummerAtTheMuseums 📸 Image credit: Carolina Rabei.

We may be closed to the public on Mondays, but that doesn't mean we're not very busy! Take a peek behind-the-scenes with us at the reinstallation of a couple of our African cases that took place this week as a result of the Rethinking Relationships project.

In our latest blog post discover the story of this Predynastic Egyptian C-Ware bowl that stretches from ancient beliefs about death and renewal to Victorian archaeology and the collecting networks that brought Egyptian objects to Cambridge: www.maadigitallab.org/blog/2026/07...

This malagan (or malanggan) sculpture was created to commemorate the deceased and channel he life-force to the next generation. It is beautifully carved and full of detail - like the fish in her hands and the cockerel she stands on.

Are you a teacher interested in shaping the future of digital learning resources for schools? If so, we'd love to hear from you! Complete the brief survey (5-7 mins) on your use of digital resources in teaching and help us ensure museum resources are relevant, practical, and useful: bit.ly/4eO3gKd

We've got an exciting programme of events at the museum coming in July! 👇

This large nassa (fish trap) has been created with a funnel-like opening that allows fish to easily swim inside but then stops them escaping. However, the traps still take a battering and require mending, which is what the fishermen in this image are doing. Did you spot the one inside the net?

It's been so hot this week we've been thinking of ways to stay cool. This led us to an exploration of our collections portal to look at some of the amazing fans we care for. Which fan would you be using in this heat?

Unfortunately the museum is currently (25 June 2026) closed. We apologise for any inconvenience caused! For up-to-date information please check our website before you visit: maa.cam.ac.uk/visit

If you've visited our 'Moving Objects' exhibition you may have noticed a very happy looking object. The grinning catfish which decorate this dish divide opinions, but it's definitely unforgettable! What do you think? Love it or hate it? #NationalCatfishDay

Hot weather update! We have the following update for members of the public hoping to visit us this week: Thursday 25 June - galleries partly closed Friday 26 June - all galleries closed Saturday 27 June - galleries partly closed Please check our website before you visit: maa.cam.ac.uk/visit