About Us
In 1963, the purchase at a London auction-house of a 5th century BC Red-figure Attic amphora marked the establishment of a collection of antiquities designed to enrich the teaching programs of Classics and Ancient History at The University of Queensland.
The RD Milns Antiquities Museum is now the foremost collection of classical Mediterranean antiquities in Queensland. A highly accessible teaching museum for both the general public and university-level students and researchers, the Museum has grown from a small collection of artefacts to a catalogue of several thousands.
The Museum's archaeological material reflects the achievements of the ancient civilisations that developed in the lands bordering the Mediterranean Sea. The collection provides the only comprehensive survey of ancient Mediterranean antiquities on public view in Queensland. The objects span almost 3500 years of history, and are made of a variety of materials including stone, pottery, metalware, and glass. Together they give a picture of the technological and artistic achievements made by the forerunners of Western civilisation.
In 2007 the Antiquities Museum was renamed after Emeritus Professor Bob Milns AM, retired professor of Classics and Ancient History at UQ and a great supporter and benefactor of the Museum throughout his long career.
In 2013 the RD Milns Antiquities Museum celebrated its 50th anniversary at The University of Queensland with a major exhibition entitled 'Then and Now: 50 Years of Antiquities.' A number of significant acquistions also marked this occasion.
The Antiquities Museum is part of the School of Historical and Philosophical Inquiry at The University of Queensland.
Our Mission
Through the care and preservation of its collection, the RD Milns Antiquities Museum seeks to educate and innovate by engaging with its communities and with the past.
The Museum is a dynamic public space that encourages interaction with, and understanding of, the cultures of the ancient Mediterranean, and the profound impact that these cultures have had upon the literature, art, politics, and society of our modern world.
These principles are embodied in our mission statement:
RD Milns Antiquities Museum: Preserving, Connecting, and Inspiring
Strategic Plan
Access the RD Milns Antiquities Museum Strategic Plan:
- RD Milns Antiquities Museum Strategic Plan 2022-2025
- RD Milns Antiquities Museum Strategic Plan 2018-2021 (archived)
- RD Milns Antiquities Museum Strategic Plan 2015-2017 (archived)
- RD Milns Antiquities Museum Strategic Plan 2012-2014 (archived)
Annual Reports
Access Annual Reports for the RD Milns Antiquities Museum:
- Year ending December 31, 2022
- Year ending December 31, 2021
- Year ending December 31, 2020
- Year ending December 31, 2019
- Year ending December 31, 2018
- Year ending December 31, 2017
- Year ending December 31, 2016
- Year ending December 31, 2015
- Year ending December 31, 2014
- Year ending December 31, 2013
The RD Milns Antiquities Museum welcomes feedback on these Annual Reports. Please direct feedback to: antiquitiesmuseum@uq.edu.au
Dr Amelia Brown
Director
a.brown9@uq.edu.au
(07) 336 56402
Mr James Donaldson
Museum Manager and Curator
j.donaldson@uq.edu.au
(07) 3365 7490
Ms Brianna Sands
Assistant Curator, Museum Engagement Officer
b.sands@uq.edu.au
(07) 3365 3010
The Museum is grateful for the continuing and generous support of the Friends of Antiquity.
The Friends of Antiquity was established in 1988 as a special interest group of the Alumni Friends of The University of Queensland to support the Classics and Ancient History Department (now the discipline of Classics and Ancient History in the School of Historical and Philosophical Inquiry). The Friends of Antiquity and the Alumni Friends have assisted the Museum in the purchase of many important artefacts.
Greek from Italy, 300-200 BC
These include:
- A Greek South Italian Bronze Helmet (300-200 BC) (pictured right)
- An Attic Marble Funerary Stele for Theophile (400-350 BC)
- An Egyptian Cartonnage Mummy Mask (390-340 BC)
- A Roman Marble Portrait Head of Aphrodite (AD 100-200)
- A Roman Marble Memorial Tablet for Secundio (AD 1-100)
- An Attic Marble Funerary Loutrophoros for Phanodemos (400-375 BC)
- An Attic Terracotta Column Krater (c. 450 BC)
In 2017, the Alumni Friends celebrated their 50th anniversary. The Museum marked this occasion with a special exhibition '50 Years of Giving' which showcases the contributions of the Alumni Friends to the collection over the years.
The Friends of Antiquity runs a monthly Sunday Series lecture on topics from the ancient world. They also host an annual Ancient History Day at The University of Queensland, featuring national and international scholars speaking on a particular theme. To find out more or to join the Friends of Antiquity, please visit their website: https://alumni.uq.edu.au/friends-of-antiquity.
Donations and bequests of both artefacts and funds are key ways in which the public can support the activities of the RD Milns Antiquities Museum.
Please contact Amy Henderson, Director of Advancement, Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences, to discuss your donation or for more information on how you can support the Museum.
Object Loans and Donations
Please contact the Museum if you have an artefact you are interested in donating.
The RD Milns Antiquities Museum supports the Cultural Gifts Program.
Monetary Gifts
Donate Online
Donations over $2 are tax-deductible in Australia.
The RD Milns Antiquities Museum respects your privacy and has adopted the University's policies on how your personal details are safeguarded. Please visit www.uq.edu.au/privacy for more information.