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Semitic Museum and its collection

Semitic Museum
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The Harvard Museum of the Ancient Near East, formerly known as the Harvard Semitic Museum, has a rich history dating back to its founding in 1889. It moved to its current location at 6 Divinity Avenue in Cambridge, Massachusetts, in 1903. This museum is a significant part of the city's cultural landscape and offers a unique opportunity to explore the history and culture of the Ancient Near East.

Artifacts and Collections

The museum houses a diverse collection of artifacts, including pottery, cylinder seals, sculptures, coins, cuneiform tablets, and Egyptian mummy sarcophagi. These artifacts have been gathered from various museum-sponsored excavations in countries such as Jordan, Iraq, Egypt, Cyprus, Israel, and Tunisia. Visitors can gain a deeper understanding of the ancient Near East through these fascinating objects.

Notable Exhibits

Among the museum's notable exhibits are plaster casts of the Black Obelisk of Shalmaneser III, the Laws of Hammurabi, and the Stele of Esarhaddon. Additionally, the museum features a full-scale model of an Iron Age Israelite house. These exhibits provide a tangible connection to the ancient Near East and offer a unique educational experience for visitors.

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FRSemitic museum
ENSemitic Museum at Harvard

History & Anthropology History & Anthropology Archaeology Ancient art Religion

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#2 Free museums in Cambridge #2 History & Anthropology in Cambridge #1 Ancient art museums in Cambridge #1 Archaeology museums in Cambridge #6 Free museums in Massachusetts #14 History & Anthropology in Massachusetts #3 Ancient art museums in Massachusetts #3 Archaeology museums in Massachusetts #6 Religion museums in Massachusetts #88 Free museums in United States #193 History & Anthropology in United States #29 Ancient art museums in United States #25 Archaeology museums in United States #49 Religion museums in United States

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Semitic Museum
Divinity Avenue 6
MA 02138 Cambridge
Massachusetts

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Visitor information Semitic Museum

Opening hours

Monday
11:00 – 16:00
Tuesday
11:00 – 16:00
Wednesday
11:00 – 16:00
Thursday
11:00 – 16:00
Friday
11:00 – 16:00
Saturday Closed
Sunday
11:00 – 16:00

Closed: Dec. 24–25 and Jan. 1

Admission

0+Free

Facilities

We don't have information about the facilities of Semitic Museum.

Location & Map

Divinity Avenue 6, Cambridge

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Exhibitions

No exhibitions in Semitic Museum have been found.

Semitic Museum Reviews

Semitic Museum has 1 rating.

  • Apollo's Insights AI-Generated

    The Semitic Museum, located in Cambridge, United States, offers visitors a glimpse into the ancient cultures of the Near East. The museum houses a collection of artifacts from various Semitic civilizations, including ancient Israelite, Phoenician, Aramaic, and Babylonian cultures.

    Visitors appreciate the museum's extensive collection of pottery, cuneiform tablets, and archaeological finds from excavations in the Middle East. The exhibits are informative and provide context for understanding the daily life, religious practices, and historical developments of these ancient societies.

    While the museum is relatively small, it compensates with the quality and significance of its exhibits. The curators have done a commendable job in organizing the displays to tell a coherent story of Semitic cultures through time.

    Some visitors note that the museum could benefit from updated presentation methods and more interactive elements to engage a wider audience. The lighting and layout of certain exhibits may sometimes make it challenging to fully appreciate the details of some artifacts.

    The museum is particularly valued by students and researchers in the fields of archaeology, ancient history, and biblical studies. It serves as an important educational resource, especially given its affiliation with Harvard University.

    Overall, the Semitic Museum offers a solid, educational experience for those interested in ancient Near Eastern cultures, though it may not have the broad appeal of larger, more general museums.

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  • Aggregated rating

    This rating is based on the rating of this museum on several other platforms.

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