Going back to my 24 hours in Oxford. After exploring the university. I then went on and explored Oxford archaeology museum.
Once upon a time I actually wanted to be an archaeologist. Ok laugh at me all you want – but it totally true. If a teacher would ask me what I wanted to be when I grow up, I always answered, ‘archeologist’. I went on believing that I would grow up eventually as one, right up to middle school as well. Only till I got to high school (secondary school), I changed my mind.
I only changed my mind due to the realization that being an archaeologist is nothing like Indiana Jones. I’m not going to be a whip smacking, a courageous adventurous hero fighting the Nazi at every turn. Real arachnology spends time analyzing little fragment of historical important – not like Indy who run away from big rolling ball or blowing stuff up while trying to escape an ancient tomb.
Growing up I was obsessed with the Indiana Jones movies. I do remember seeing them in the cinema with my dad at a very young age. I remember being scared to death at the zombie ghost in Raider of the Lost Ark, crying when Indy took the deadly potion that made him crazy in the Temple of doom and cheering so loud when Indy saved his dad in the Last Crusade.
Yes, I was a crazy fan. I bought the comics, watched the spin-off TV show, and even saw a show at Disney World (where I apparently clang to my parents for dear life as I was so scared, my parents do like to keep telling me this story every so often). I even made my best friend act out part of the movies.
But as I said, once the realization that archaeology is nothing like Indiana Jones. The dream faded away….
Yet as a grown up I still have a huge respect for archaeology, so when I was spending my 24 hours in Oxford. I discovered there was an archaeology museum not far from my hotel, so after spending part of the morning exploring the university. I decide to see this archaeology museum.
The museum itself is completely free to enter, and I must admit it was fascinating to walk around and to see the ancient artefacts. I spent the most time in the Egypt section as it was amazing to see a life-size ancient tomb (and it also was nothing like the Tomb Raider games!).
I sat down on a bench admiring many of the artefacts, and I must have been sitting down for quite a while staring into the artefact glass as one of the museum guides asked if I was ok. Feeling silly and realizing the museum was huge. Also, time was ticking and I still had to go and see more of the Oxford town and also the castle. I left the museum after being in there for an hour.
If you are into ancient civilization and have a bit more sense with the realization that archaeology is nothing like Indiana Jones. Then you would enjoy Oxford archaeology museum. It should be on your list of things to explore while visiting Oxford.
