Pierhead artefacts feature on History of the World website

6 September 2010

A number of historic artefacts on display at the Pierhead have taken their place on a website charting the history of the world. Among them is the binnacle from the SS Terra Nova which took Captain Scott and his team on their fateful voyage from Cardiff to the South Pole in 1912. The binnacle, which is on loan from the Captain Scott Trust, returned to the city earlier this year when the refurbished Pierhead was reopened. Another important artefact on display is the original Government of Wales Act document, signed by the Queen in 1998, which led to the creation of the National Assembly for Wales. A Welsh language bible printed in Wrexham in the early 1800s and a doctor’s bag belonging to Barry GP Dr John Henry Williams in 1928 have also been added to the History of the World website which was established by the BBC with the British Museum. The website contains a catalogue of thousands of historical objects and interesting items from around the UK, and visitors can search for artefacts in their own area. “These artefacts and the Pierhead itself help to demonstrate the part Wales has played in history and we are delighted to add some of our collection of important Welsh items to the History of the World site,” said Gwen Thomas, Visitor and Public Information Services Manager for the National Assembly for Wales. “The items we have put online are just a small part of what the Pierhead has to offer and I hope it inspires people to visit this iconic building and explore the rest of it.” The Pierhead reopened on St David’s Day earlier this year and from the outset was designed to be a flexible and informative venue with a series of permanent exhibitions and space for other community and cultural events. The Pierhead History of the World website