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[[{"fid":"14167","view_mode":"large","fields":{"format":"large","field_file_image_alt_text[und][0][value]":"Creating colours from coalfields","field_file_image_title_text[und][0][value]":"","field_caption_heading[und][0][title]":"","field_caption_heading[und][0][url]":"","field_caption[und][0][value]":"","field_float_left_right[und]":"none","field_file_image_decorative[und]":"0"},"type":"media","field_deltas":{"1":{"format":"large","field_file_image_alt_text[und][0][value]":"Creating colours from coalfields","field_file_image_title_text[und][0][value]":"","field_caption_heading[und][0][title]":"","field_caption_heading[und][0][url]":"","field_caption[und][0][value]":"","field_float_left_right[und]":"none","field_file_image_decorative[und]":"0"}},"attributes":{"height":"480","width":"768","class":"media-element file-large"}}]]Throughout the coronavirus pandemic we have continually been faced with the unknown.  Even now as we are move into our ‘new normal’ we continually ask ourselves - what will happen next? How will we react?  The unknown can be terrifying.But it can also lead to fresh ideas and innovation. Researchers deal with the unknown every day. In fact, they embrace it. Questions will lead to more questions. The pursuit of knowledge is exciting and challenging. Sometimes even when we think we have an answer, it is disproved later. Our museum collections are continually used for research by our curators, academics and students, who make new discoveries all the time.So this month on our blog and social media we will be exploring the theme of ‘the unknown’, and what it means to us.#×î×¼µÄÁùºÏ²ÊÂÛ̳UnknownStories of failureOur exhibition in the Octagon, FLOP: 13 stories of failure shows how mistakes can lead to unexpected discoveries, including the accidental invention of silly putty.Listen to the exhibition podcastResearching our mystery objectsEvery year students in ×î×¼µÄÁùºÏ²ÊÂÛ̳’s Collection Curatorship class (as part of their MA in Museum Studies) choose objects from across ×î×¼µÄÁùºÏ²ÊÂÛ̳’s collections to research in a practical project to introduce them to the core skills of a curator: to understand objects and how to research them. In previous years, students have solved the mystery of leech embryo wax models and what were previously known as ‘the Fancy Casts’. Creating colours from coalfieldsThe discovery of five new paint colours in ex-coal mines has been developed by ×î×¼µÄÁùºÏ²ÊÂÛ̳ Slade School artist Onya McCausland. It has led to the first-ever use of paint derived from UK coal mine water treatment (see image above).Find out moreHelp us translate Jeremy Bentham’s manuscriptsJeremy Bentham was a huge writer, producing over 100,000 manuscripts throughout his life. We are still transcribing them today! At the latest count, volunteers have transcribed more than 20,000 pages of Bentham's writings. Find out how you can get involved

[[{"fid":"15097","view_mode":"large","fields":{"height":"1404","width":"2800","class":"media-element file-medium","format":"large","field_file_image_alt_text[und][0][value]":"Top Ten Thursdays","field_file_image_title_text[und][0][value]":"","field_caption_heading[und][0][title]":"","field_caption_heading[und][0][url]":"","field_caption[und][0][value]":"","field_float_left_right[und]":"none","field_file_image_decorative[und]":"0"},"type":"media","field_deltas":{"1":{"height":"1404","width":"2800","class":"media-element file-medium","format":"large","field_file_image_alt_text[und][0][value]":"Top Ten Thursdays","field_file_image_title_text[und][0][value]":"","field_caption_heading[und][0][title]":"","field_caption_heading[und][0][url]":"","field_caption[und][0][value]":"","field_float_left_right[und]":"none","field_file_image_decorative[und]":"0"}},"attributes":{"height":"1404","width":"2800","class":"media-element file-large"}}]]This week we are launching #TopTenThursdays on Twitter and Instagram.  Over the coming months we’ll showcase some of the best, most well-loved collection items ×î×¼µÄÁùºÏ²ÊÂÛ̳ Culture has to offer.Look out for our stunning Hawara Mummy portraits from the Petrie Museum of Egyptian Archaeology, dating from the period of Roman rule over Egypt. Or see the Grant Museum's boxes of dodo specimens up close, from southeast Mauritius.  You can also enjoy some of the stunning prints and drawings from ×î×¼µÄÁùºÏ²ÊÂÛ̳ Art Museum. We’ll be challenging other museums and collections to join our #TopTenThursdays project, beginning Thursday 4 March 2021. It’s like a big, online museum ‘Top Trumps’ game.What are your top tens?Follow ×î×¼µÄÁùºÏ²ÊÂÛ̳ Culture on TwitterFollow the Grant Museum on TwitterFollow the Petrie Museum on TwitterFollow ×î×¼µÄÁùºÏ²ÊÂÛ̳ Art Museum on Twitter