Interest in the classical antiquities determined how the collection developed during the beginning of the nineteenth century.

A number of high profile classical antiquity acquisitions were made such as the Rosetta Stone (1802) and the Townley collection of classical sculpture, including the ‘Discobolos’ statue and the bust of a young woman ‘Clytie’ (1805).

The importance of antiquities was recognised when the Department of Antiquities was founded in 1807.

Throughout the century, more classical antiquities became part of the collection including sculptures from the Temple of Apollo at Bassae(1815), the Parthenon sculptures (1816), the Nereid monument (1842) and the remains of the Mausoleum of Halikarnassos
(1856–7).

During the mid-nineteenth century interest grew in the Middle East. In 1825 the Western Asiatic collection was begun, consisting of a collection of manuscripts, medals and antiquities ‘illustrative of countries situated on the Euphrates and Tigris’.

In the 1850s, the first stone sculptures arrived at the Museum from excavations carried out at the Nimrud site in the Middle East.

One of the first arrivals was the Great winged bull, although it nearly did not make to Bloomsbury. The party bringing the sculpture back was ambushed en route by a band of robbers. A mark from a musket ball fired during the skirmish is still visible on the statue.

In 1860, the Department of Antiquities was divided into three new departments which reflected the new priorities of the collection: Greek and Roman Antiquities, Coins and Medals, Oriental Antiquities.