One of the most impressive collections of Egyptian archaeology anywhere is currently confined to two rooms in UCL’s Science Library in Malet Street. This is the Petrie Museum, named for William Flinders Petrie (1853-1942) who excavated more than 30 sites in Egypt.
Under archaeological practice then prevailing, the colonial authorities allowed Petrie to keep a portion of his finds. UCL bought his collection in1913 and has since added much more. The Petrie’s collection now includes more than 80,000 examples of pottery, sculpture, jewellery, mummy cases – and even two linen dresses that survive from the Fifth Dynasty – about 2,500 BC.
As only a small proportion of this collection can be displayed, it has long been obvious that a larger facility is needed – and that building is at last in sight. The Panopticon, which is expected to open in 2010 in Gordon Street next to the Bloomsbury Theatre, will house all of the Petrie’s treasures as well as other UCL artistic and literary holdings.
Very appropriately the word 'Panopticon' comes from the Greek words pan (meaning 'all') and optikos (meaning 'of sight'), thus meaning 'all visible'.
“The Panopticon will be a unique building of international significance and a real asset to Bloomsbury residents,” says Panopticon project manager Sally MacDonald
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The new UCL Panopticon building seen from Gordon Street, London, WC1
Sir Sean Connery leads the fund-raising effort
Fund-raising for the new building got a major boost when Sir Sean Connery came on board as patron. “I am delighted to support UCL's Panopticon so that this great university will be able to share its world-class treasures with everyone!" he says.
Describing Sir Sean, Sally MacDonald says: “He believes passionately in preserving our common cultural heritage and our need to learn from the past. What better way to bring the past to life than through studying how earlier peoples lived and to experience handling these objects oneself?”
How much more must be raised? Sally MacDonald says new supporters are urgently needed. “Despite generous grants from the Heritage Lottery Fund, the Wellcome Trust and a private foundation, we are still well short of the £31 million we need,” she says. “Our supporters know they are helping to create a unique institution with which they want a lasting association; we just need more of them!"
To date, the sum of £13 million has been raised, she notes.
The new building has been designed by renowned architects Jeremy Dixon and Edward Jones, the team responsible for the new Royal Opera House, Covent Garden and the new extension to the National Portrait Gallery. When completed, the Panopticon will also offer interactive experiences for the public, local community groups and schools, with workshops, master classes and changing exhibitions.
The new Panopticon buidling seen from the South Cloister, UCL, London, WC1
