British Museum Archaeological Research Collection 

BM_ARC is a new facility for storing, studying and facilitating loans of Museum objects. It is at the heart of the new Thames Valley Science Park near Reading, which has ambitions to be a world-leading research hub, with proposed moves from the Natural History Museum and Kew Gardens. 

In the first partnership of its kind between a national museum and a UK university, the British Museum has partnered with the University of Reading. By working together, we will use the collections stored at BM_ARC to deliver study and research opportunities to students, academics, local schools, community groups and the wider public.

The move to BM_ARC was in part instigated by the UK government decision to sell Blythe House, which previously stored around 30% of the Museum collection. BM_ARC now holds over 1.3 million objects from Blythe House and has space to accommodate further collection moves in future.  

The Museum collection is a resource for the world and BM_ARC provides access to many additional objects, including world-renowned archaeological collections of ancient sculpture, mosaics, archaeological assemblages and historic cast collections. BM_ARC also boosts the potential to research the collection through exceptional study spaces and improved digital records. Work continues to fully digitise the vast Museum collection, but eventually every item at BM_ARC will be available to all on Collection online. 

The Trustees of the British Museum wish to thank the following supporters and the many anonymous donors whose generosity made the BM_ARC possible: The Headley Trust, The BAND Trust, Graham and Joanna Barker, Jayne Wrightsman OBE, American Friends of the British Museum, Hintze Family Charitable Foundation, British Museum Friends and British Museum Patrons.

Objects are readily accessible for study and loans

• Wide corridors, strong floors and huge roller shutter doors allow easy movement of objects around the building.
• Study rooms are filled with natural light – ideal for working with groups of archaeological objects.
• Close to key transport links, objects can easily be prepared, packed and shipped for national and international loans.  
• There is space to store and study objects moved during future phases of the Masterplan.  

Improved access to the collection encourages innovative research  

• BM_ARC brings together collections previously stored by department, driving new research across different cultures and time periods.
• A new study space supported by the Headley Trust facilitates:  
  • Research projects
  • University teaching
  • Undergraduate student placements
  • Doctoral studentships  
  • Visiting researchers to study collection items

Engaging with local schools and community groups

• Starting in 2025, our learning programme for local secondary schools and community groups will offer inspiring learning opportunities and unique access to the collection.

A sustainable all-electric building

• Designed to minimise energy use, BM_ARC is an all-electric building with solar panels that generate renewable electricity. 
• A building envelope designed for low air permeability, which means the building's environment on the inside changes very slowly compared to the weather outside.