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Archaeology and Numismatics

 

The Leeds archaeological collections are diverse and cover many thousands of years of history and prehistory.

They represent a wide range of ancient cultures from around the world.

The numismatics collection is made up of around 25,000 objects related to currency (coins, paper money, tokens, etc), as well as medals, seals and badges.

Most of this collection is kept at Leeds Discovery Centre, but highlights can be seen on display at Leeds City Museum, Kirkstall Abbey and online on Google Arts & Culture.

There are two galleries showcasing archaeology in Leeds City Museum. The archaeology of the Leeds area can be explored in The Leeds Story, and treasures of Egypt, Greece and Rome are on display in the Ancient Worlds gallery. The archaeology collections also regularly feature in a wide range of temporary exhibitions.

Anglo-Saxon Jewellery, 4 rings, a broach fragment and a gold ingot fragment

Collection Highlight

The West Yorkshire Hoard

Seven amazing Anglo Saxon objects were found in the Leeds Metropolitan District by a metal detectorist in 2008.

Four of the objects are gold rings, two of which are of the highest quality from this period, along with a gold brooch fragment, a gold ingot fragment and a lead spindle whorl.

The ‘find’, known as the West Yorkshire Hoard, was acquired by Leeds Museums & Galleries in 2012 after going through the Treasure process. We raised money to keep them in Leeds from the National Heritage Memorial Fund, the Art Fund (with a contribution from the Wolfson Foundation), The Headley Trust, Leeds Philosophical and Literary Society, Friends of Leeds City Museums, and The Goldsmiths’; Company, as well as generous donations from local societies and the public.

See the West Yorkshire Hoard on display at Leeds City Museum. A selection of objects from the Hoard are also available to view on Google Arts & Culture.

Human Remains

We care for a substantial collection of human remains which were once parts of living people. We’re committed to caring for them in a respectful manner while also making the collections available for research and engagement where appropriate, in line with our human remains policy.

In 2018 we carried out a research engagement project during the run of an exhibition called ‘Skeletons: our Buried Bones’ held at Leeds City Museum. We asked visitors what they thought about museums having and using human remains, and allowing photography of human remains on display, in order to inform the human remains policy going forward.

The final report on Visitor Responses to Human Remains in Leeds City Museum is available to view online.

 

Discover more of our collections

Fine Art Collection

The Leeds fine art collections are Designated as being of national and international significance. The collection has particular strengths in the areas of 18th and early 19th century English watercolours, 20th century British Art and a modern sculpture collection.

Dress and Textile Collection

The Leeds dress and textiles collection details the history of what people have worn in the past, and the textiles they have used for their clothing, furnishing and decorating their homes.

Decorative Arts Collection

The Leeds Decorative Arts collections are Designated as being of national and international importance. They are linked to local crafts people past and present, and feature major collections of furniture, ceramics, wallpapers, modern crafts, metalwork, textiles and costume.

World Cultures Collection

World Cultures is a significant collection area for Leeds, with over 12,000 items demonstrating the city’s historic links to the wider world, and the multicultural vibe of contemporary arts and culture.

Social History Collection

The Leeds social history collections started with an emphasis on ‘bygones’ and folk life in the 1920s. Reconstructed street displays at Abbey House were then added in the 1950s, recreating life in Victorian Leeds.

Natural Science Collection

The Leeds natural science collection comprises around 800,000 specimens, and is hugely diverse in terms of subject area, specimen type, and taxonomic range. It is designated as being of national and international significance.

Industrial History Collection

The Leeds industrial collections are largely based at Leeds Industrial Museum at Armley Mills, and have been designated as of national and international significance.

Our Collections

Explore Leeds Museums and Galleries large collection of Art, Archaeology, Decorative Arts, Natural Science, Dress and Textiles, Industrial, World Cultures and Social History.