Australian National University Classics Museum facts for kids
The entrance to the AD Hope building, which houses the ANU Classics Museum
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| Established | 1962 |
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| Location | Canberra, Australia |
| Type | Ancient Greece and Rome |
| Owner | Australian National University |
The Australian National University Classics Museum is a small museum in Canberra, Australia. It was started in 1962 at the Australian National University (ANU). The museum helps students learn about the ancient Greek and Roman worlds. It is a great place to see real objects from thousands of years ago.
Contents
History of the Museum
How the Museum Started
The ANU Classics Museum was founded in 1962. It was started by Dick Johnson, who was a Professor of Classics at the ANU. He wanted Canberra students to be able to learn from real ancient Greek and Roman objects. The museum has been in the AD Hope building at the ANU's main campus since the 1970s.
Supporting the Museum
In 1985, a group called "Friends of the ANU Classics Museum" was formed. This group helps support the museum. By 2004, the museum had about 600 objects. Some of these items were on loan from other collectors.
Important Changes and Donations
In 2010, the museum got a big update. It received new display cases, better lighting, and new signs for the items. The ANU Chancellor, Gareth Evans, reopened it on August 25.
Later that year, Professor Emerita Beryl Rawson left a large donation to the museum. She had worked at the ANU for 45 years. Her donation of $400,000 helps the museum pay for staff and other activities.
Museum Today
The museum is still used for teaching students. Students studying ancient history and art history can even handle some of the 650 items in the collection. The museum is also open to the public on weekdays. You can even arrange guided tours to learn more.
Returning Ancient Objects
In September 2023, the museum found out something important. An amphora vase, a fish plate, and a Roman marble portrait head had been bought a long time ago. They were bought "in good faith," meaning the museum didn't know there was a problem. However, these items were found to have been dug up illegally by their original sellers. The museum decided to send these objects back to the Italian government. They will keep them for a few more years to study them before they go home.
See also
In Spanish: Museo de Clásicos de la Universidad Nacional Australiana para niños
