Defying Death: A Human Journey Through Medicine

The UCL Institute of Archaeology's new student exhibition, Defying Death: A Human Journey Through Medicine, will run from May 2018 to March 2019.

The exhibition showcases how humanity has used medicine to extend life and defy death throughout time. A variety of ways to defy death are explored including complementary, religious, social, surgical and technological approaches.

Across the four themes of 'Theory and Practice', 'Faith and Legend', 'Living Well' and 'Medical Innovations', visitors will explore an array of objects extending from the ancient world to the present day. Look for arsenic in its natural form, a trepanned skull, 3D printed prosthetics and more! We are excited to present digital objects for the first time, including a film clip from 1944 showing how Penicillin was made during World War II. The objects displayed have been gathered from across UCL and beyond, including some interesting finds from a National Museum!

The temporary exhibition created by MA Museum Studies students will be displayed in the A.G. Leventis Gallery of Cypriot and Eastern Mediterranean Archaeology at the Institute. The exhibition is free and open to the public on Mon - Fri, 9.30am - 9pm; Sat, 11am - 6pm.

Please note the Defying Death exhibition contains human remains which are licensed for display by Human Tissue Authority Public Display Licence No. 12620.

Late Event

Don't miss the students contribution to the 'Superbugs' Late Event, being held at the Science Museum on Wednesday 25 April, 2018. Participate in a lively racing game, tackling the subject of antibiotic resistance and superbugs. These important issues will also be featured in the display and digital resources in the gallery. The event is free and doors open at 6:45pm- you won't want to miss it!

Further information

• MA in Museum Studies degree programme

Contact

• Anna Fowler (anna.fowler.17@ucl.ac.uk)
• Theano Moussouri (t.moussouri@ucl.ac.uk)