Highlights

This museum route takes you along the highlights of our collections.

Egyptian collection

Egypt is a land of powerful pharaohs, fascinating mummies, and innumerable gods. The Egyptian collection at the Rijksmuseum van Oudheden is one of the ten most important Egyptian collections in the world.

Temple of Taffeh, From the collection of: Rijksmuseum van Oudheden
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Ship’s model, From the collection of: Rijksmuseum van Oudheden
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Scribe, From the collection of: Rijksmuseum van Oudheden
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Funerary chapel, From the collection of: Rijksmuseum van Oudheden
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Cosmetics jar, From the collection of: Rijksmuseum van Oudheden
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Hatshepsut, From the collection of: Rijksmuseum van Oudheden
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Heart scarab, From the collection of: Rijksmuseum van Oudheden
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Statuette of Simoet, From the collection of: Rijksmuseum van Oudheden
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Relief featuring blind harpist, unknown, From the collection of: Rijksmuseum van Oudheden
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Statue of Maya and Merit, From the collection of: Rijksmuseum van Oudheden
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Horemheb grave relief, From the collection of: Rijksmuseum van Oudheden
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Sarcophagus of Wahibreemakhet, From the collection of: Rijksmuseum van Oudheden
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Votive statue of Osiris, From the collection of: Rijksmuseum van Oudheden
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Mummy coffin of Djedmontefanch, From the collection of: Rijksmuseum van Oudheden
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Cartonnage of Panehsy, From the collection of: Rijksmuseum van Oudheden
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Mummy of Inamonnefnebu, From the collection of: Rijksmuseum van Oudheden
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Holder for a cat mummy, From the collection of: Rijksmuseum van Oudheden
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Mummy coffin of Peftjauneith, unknown, From the collection of: Rijksmuseum van Oudheden
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Roman collection

The Romans are an endless source of inspiration for writers and filmmakers, they have even become comic book heroes. In technology, society, war, art, and politics, the Romans were far ahead of their time.

Funerary altar, From the collection of: Rijksmuseum van Oudheden
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Early Christian sarcophagus, From the collection of: Rijksmuseum van Oudheden
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Trajan, From the collection of: Rijksmuseum van Oudheden
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Hekate, From the collection of: Rijksmuseum van Oudheden
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Statuette of Hercules, From the collection of: Rijksmuseum van Oudheden
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Statue of Apollo, unknown, From the collection of: Rijksmuseum van Oudheden
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Asklepios and Hygieia, unknown, From the collection of: Rijksmuseum van Oudheden
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Ancient Near East collection

For archaeologists, the ancient Near East is the region from Turkey to the Arabian Peninsula, and from Lebanon to Afghanistan. Due to the exchange between many cultures, it forms a vital link between ancient Egypt and the Greeks and Romans.

Funerary sculpture, From the collection of: Rijksmuseum van Oudheden
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Gudea of Lagash, From the collection of: Rijksmuseum van Oudheden
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Praying Sumerian Man, From the collection of: Rijksmuseum van Oudheden
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Lion's head, From the collection of: Rijksmuseum van Oudheden
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Assyrian relief, From the collection of: Rijksmuseum van Oudheden
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Greek collection

The culture of the ancient Greeks remains a rich source of inspiration for contemporary art and science. It is also still a part of our daily lives; the Olympic Games, democracy, libraries, hospitals, schools, and theatres all began in Greece, some 2,500 years ago.

Grave amphora, From the collection of: Rijksmuseum van Oudheden
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Worshipper from Crete, From the collection of: Rijksmuseum van Oudheden
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Tomb relief of a young man, -370/-370, From the collection of: Rijksmuseum van Oudheden
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Panathenaeic amphora, unknown, -530/-530, From the collection of: Rijksmuseum van Oudheden
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Dionysos, From the collection of: Rijksmuseum van Oudheden
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Netherlands in the Roman era collection

Romans came to the Netherlands around the first century AD. The Rhine became the natural border of the Roman Empire in Northwestern Europe, and many Roman settlements and forts were built along its banks.

Helmet, From the collection of: Rijksmuseum van Oudheden
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Horserider’s mask, unknown, From the collection of: Rijksmuseum van Oudheden
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Sarcophagus, From the collection of: Rijksmuseum van Oudheden
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Altar for Nehalennia, From the collection of: Rijksmuseum van Oudheden
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Julius Caesar, From the collection of: Rijksmuseum van Oudheden
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Netherlands prehistory collection

This collection presents the only complete survey of the archaeological history of the Netherlands. The objects span a vast period of time, illustrating a full 300,000 years of history.

Hand-axe, -300000/-150000, From the collection of: Rijksmuseum van Oudheden
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Human figurine, From the collection of: Rijksmuseum van Oudheden
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Neck ring, From the collection of: Rijksmuseum van Oudheden
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Princely grave, From the collection of: Rijksmuseum van Oudheden
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Netherlands Middle Ages collection

This collection presents the only complete survey of the archaeological history of the Netherlands. The medieval collection contains many highlights of Dutch archeology, such as the 'Dorestad brooch'.

Brooch, From the collection of: Rijksmuseum van Oudheden
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Gold treasure, From the collection of: Rijksmuseum van Oudheden
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Viking hoard, From the collection of: Rijksmuseum van Oudheden
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Sword featuring ‘Ulfberht’, From the collection of: Rijksmuseum van Oudheden
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Buckle, From the collection of: Rijksmuseum van Oudheden
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Credits: Story

Rijksmuseum van Oudheden (National Museum of Antiquities), 2016

Credits: All media
The story featured may in some cases have been created by an independent third party and may not always represent the views of the institutions, listed below, who have supplied the content.