European and Mediterranean archaeology

The internationally significant collections from Egypt are the second-largest in Scotland, comprising over 4000 items. Alongside the impressive Greek and Roman coin collections, there is a notable highlight in Ancient Greek ceramics which has a ‘higher concentration of major pieces than any other museum in Scotland’ (Moignard, 2007). Excavated groups are an important aspect of the material from Egypt, Palestine and Mesopotamia, often the result of partage among major British museums.

Fine Art

Within the areas of greatest strength in the collection (Early Modern Scottish painting, 17th-20th century portraiture, 19th century prints) the collection is remarkably comprehensive with works by most such major artists. Likewise, the collection of landscapes includes works by many important artists. There is also a rich collection of early 20th century stained glass and associated design cartoons, largely the work of Douglas Strachan, whose work is also represented in easel paintings. The integrity of the collection’s association with the University is of immense value to the history of Scottish art, with major works acquired by the University since its foundation in 1495. The print collection has recently been enhanced by purchases of prints by contemporary artists and those from the 16th to 19th centuries. Other recent donations and purchases have built on the collection of 20th century works by Scottish Colourists and include a number of major public art works on campus.

Non-Western archaeology and ethnography

The University’s ethnographic collections are among the three largest in Scotland, with the collections from Central America being the largest and those from North America, East Africa, South Africa and Australia in second place. The collections from West Africa, South Asia, Melanesia and Polynesia are almost as important in such terms. The importance of the collection is enhanced by the size of the component sub-groups and their association with individual donors, such as those from North America, while the Melanesian collections have at their core a large collection from Papua New Guinea and surrounding islands made by the first British Administrator, Sir William McGregor. The European collections are dominated by the internationally-important 1930s Balkan collections of Margaret Hasluck that have material relating to European Moslems as well as having a focus on domestic life.

Numismatics

The collection is the third largest and most important in Scotland’ with particular strengths in Classical coins, Scottish coins and communion tokens, an excellent collection of commemorative and prize medals, particularly representing the University of Aberdeen, and trade tokens, jetons and beggars’ badges. The comprehensive collection of military medals is considered as part of the Scottish history and archaeology collection. The collection of almost 10,000 communion tokens from most parishes in Scotland, along with Presbyterian churches elsewhere in the British Empire, is the fourth largest such collection in Scotland.

Scottish history and archaeology

The collections are of all periods, ranging from Mesolithic flints from Deeside and the North Sea coast to 20th century farm tools. The main strengths of the collection lie in North-East prehistory, Scottish militaria and University history, while there are also important collections of recent historical items and folk-life material. The archaeological collection is now the principal depository of prehistoric and early historic material from the North-East, building on the collections of funerary assemblages from eastern Scotland and the bequest of Graham Callander. The Gordon Collection, consisting of a comprehensive set of medals associated with members of the Gordon clan and militaria formerly associated with the House of Gordon is another well-contextualised and coherent group of high quality material.