National Curriculum Subject Areas: History, Geography, Art
Length of session: 75 minutes
Maximum group size: 32
Learning Outcomes
Use objects to build a picture of civilisation in Ancient Benin, and explore how status was conveyed by the King and Court of Benin
Understand how the Benin punitive expedition of 1897 led to artefacts being distributed around the world and how objects are now being returned
Investigate status objects from a range of different African communities, exploring ideas of leadership, ancestors and crafts
Look at how the Pitt Rivers Museum and African communities are working together to better understand, interpret and display collections
Session Outline
In this guided tour pupils look at objects to build a picture of civilisation in Ancient Benin, and understand how leaders convey status in a range of African communities.
Activity 1 Introduction Pupils find out about life in Ancient Benin and Benin City today in an illustrated introductory talk.
Activity 2 Guided tour Pupils are taken on an interactive guided tour to build a picture of Ancient Benin and look at objects which convey leadership status from a range of African communities, including some object handling. Please organise groups to have a ratio of one Education Guide to every ten pupils.
Activity 3 Museum activity In pairs or small groups pupils search the Museum for objects which convey leadership status.
“If I was allowed to go to any museum, I would choose Pitt Rivers” (Year 6 pupil)
