‘Collecting the Past’ at Segedunum showcases archaeological material from outside Britain.

During the olden days (I’m talking way back in the 19th and early 20th century – not pre-TikTok), many local museums were set up with the intention of educating and entertaining the public, but many museums had little or no money to buy artefacts and relied on donations to fill their cases. These donations reflected the interests of the donors – be it paintings, stuffed animals, geological specimens or archaeological objects from all over the worlds (such as the pic: Late Antique textile from Egypt depicting a hare eating fruit). Most local museums nowadays tell the story of their own local area, but their stores still contain many fascinating objects from elsewhere and this exhibition displays some of the best of them.

Collecting the Past, until 28 February, Segedunum, Newcastle, northeastmuseums.org.uk/segedunum