The keepers are heads of the various departments of the British Museum.
There are currently nine departments plus the Portable Antiquities Scheme that have keepers.
The Keeper of Africa, Oceania and the Americas is head of the Department of Africa, Oceania and the Americas (Department of Ethnography until 2004).
The Keeper of Britain, Europe and Prehistory is the head of the Department of Britain, Europe and Prehistory (previously known as the Department of Europe and Prehistory) The Keeper of British and Medieval Antiquities was the head of the Department of British and Medieval Antiquities (Department of British and Medieval Antiquities and Ethnography until 1921).
The Keeper of Conservation and Scientific Research is head of the Department of Conservation and Scientific Research.