The Petrie Museum of Egyptian Archaeology based at University College in London, houses an estimated 80,000 objects, making it one of the greatest collections of Egyptian and Sudanese archaeology in the world. It illustrates life in the Nile Valley from prehistory through the time of the pharaohs, and up to the Roman period. The bulk of the collection was sold to the University by the eminent archaeologist, Sir William Flinders Petrie in 1913. The collection includes one of the earliest pieces of linen from ancient Egypt, one of the earliest known examples of monumental sculpture, and the oldest known wills on papyrus paper. Petrie was fascinated with everyday life in Egypt, not just the Pharaohs, so the museum is packed with lots of little charming items that you don’t see elsewhere. Tracy Golding, the Museum Manager, shows Professor Hutton around.

• Ronald Hutton