Durham University Collections

A beautiful view of Durham Castle with a focus on its historical architecture and surroundings, showcasing artifacts of historical significance in a museum-like setting.

Discover Durham University Collections

Test your knowledge about the fascinating collections of Durham University! This quiz offers a glimpse into the rich history and artifacts housed within the university, from ancient artifacts to unique manuscripts.

Engage with topics such as:

  • Historical artifacts
  • Famous figures in history
  • Ancient civilizations
  • Key events in Durham's heritage
10 Questions2 MinutesCreated by ExploringHistory147
Durham Castle’s Norman Chapel was constructed by Bishop St Calais.
When?
 
(Find out more by clicking here.)
980
1080
1180
As part of a programme to restore the authority and dignity of the bishops of Durham after the English Civil War (1642-1660), Bishop John Cosin established the episcopal (that is: bishops’) library on Palace Green in 1669 for public use. But, how ‘public’ was a ‘public library’ in the 17th century? The library could be used by:
Everyone, it was for public use
Churchmen and other educated men
No one, because it was the bishops’ library
Men and women who could read Latin
Take a look at this beaker, presented to Durham University’s Museum of Archaeology in 1980 and this 3D model created in Sketchfab this summer. What age is it from?
 
(Find more prehistoric objects on our Sketchfeb page by clicking here)
Stone Age
Bronze Age
Iron Age
This is the famous Lanchester Diploma. A Roman Miltary Diploma issued around 150AD to Tigernos (Velvotigernus), a native of Lanchester, County Durham. The diploma granted him and his descendants Roman citizenship and the legal right of marriage. He earned it by serving in the Classis Germanica - the Roman fleet in Germany – and was honourably discharged upon his retirement.
But which Emperor issued the Diploma?
 
(Find out more by clicking here)
Trajan
Hadrian
Antoninus Pius
Durham University’s Oriental Museum has an extensive collection of Ancient Egyptian statues. This is the kneeling statue of the vizier Paser created in the Nineteenth Dynasty. Paser was a high-ranking official who served under Pharaoh Seti I and his successor.
Who was the successor to Pharaoh Seti I?
 
(To learn more and use our Discover research system, click here)
Ramasses II
Merneptah
Seti II
The university’s collection includes a manuscript of the works of Laurence of Durham, written in Durham, possibly as a memorial to Laurence, Prior of Durham. Laurence died in 1154 on his return journey from Italy after travelling there to confirm the election of which Durham Bishop?
 
(To learn more click here)
William de Ste Barbe
Hugh de Puiset
William Cumin
In the University's Visitor Attractions ‘Explore From Home’ pages we have several virtual exhibitions. One is Norman Cornish: The Sketchbooks, which we hosted from November 2019 to February 2020. Norman was the last surviving member of the "Pitman's Academy" art school at the Spennymoor Settlement in County Durham.
In 1933 he started work as a miner.
How old was he?
 

(Explore the virtual exhibition here)

14
16
18
As part of the brilliant Catch Your Breath exhibition (now online) our 15th century copy of Geoffrey Chaucer’s Troilus and Criseyde is displayed. As described on this page, and according to Medieval physiological models, forces of vital spirits (through a mixture of air and blood) heated and animated the body, governing breathing.
From which organ did they originate?
 

(Explore the exhibition online here)

Brain
Heart
Stomach
This is a list of everything owned by Edward Cosyn, a baker and beer-brewer from Newcastle. Cosyn died in 1645 and this list, or inventory, was made after his death. It is written in English and it takes a little while to get used to the handwriting. However, these probate inventories, created to help with the distribution of a person’s possessions after they died, are a valuable source of information about living conditions, the value of goods, and a person’s social status. Many probate inventories held at Durham University’s Archives and Special Collections have been digitised. Cosyn’s inventory lists several rooms.
What is the first room in the list?
 
(To get a closer look click here)
Living room
Hall
Kitchen
Buttery
This is our copy of Thomas More’s Utopia from 1516.
He was canonised as a saint by the Pope in which year?
 
(For a closer look click here)
1735
1835
1935
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