Ancient pottery shards. What stories do they hold within the AUB Archaeological Museum? Welcome to a journey through time at one of the Near East’s oldest museums. It stands proudly as the third oldest museum in the region after those in Cairo and Constantinople.
The Archaeological Museum of the American University of Beirut began with a gift. General Cesnola, the American Consul in Cyprus, donated Cypriot pottery in 1868. This donation occurred just two years after the founding of the Syrian Protestant College, later named the American University of Beirut. This collection became the AUB Archaeological Museum’s foundation.
Georges Post was the first curator. Post Hall is named after him. Morris Jesup funded the building. Post Hall opened in 1902. The museum quickly expanded its collections between 1902 and 1938. Artifacts came from across the Middle East. Sadly, this era saw archaeological plundering in Lebanon. Clandestine excavations contributed artifacts to the museum.
The museum closed during World War II. It reopened in 1948. Significant expansions and renovations followed. In the 1950s, curator Dimitri Baramki doubled the floor space. The museum reopened to the public in 1964 after refurbishment.
Nadine Panayot became the curator in September 2020. Since then, the museum has embraced the digital age. Major restoration efforts are underway. These efforts address damage from the August 4th blast in Beirut.
The AUB Archaeological Museum displays pottery collections. They are arranged chronologically and thematically. This illustrates the evolution of pottery. One highlight is the Cesnola Collection. It features Cypriot pottery from the Bronze Age to the Roman era. Another highlight is the prehistoric collection. It includes artifacts from the Paleolithic and Neolithic periods.
Donated by the University of Boston, the Ksar Akil collection stands out. It showcases a 23-meter stratigraphic sequence. Flint tools and human remains date back 50,000 to 18,000 years.
In 2006, the AUB Museum underwent a complete renovation. The Society of the Friends of the Museum and the Joukowsky Foundation sponsored it. The museum provides an overview of Near East archaeology. Exhibits span from the Early Stone Age to the Islamic Period. Collections come from Lebanon, Syria, Cyprus, Palestine, Egypt, Iraq, and Iran.
Before you go, consider a few tips. Weekday visits offer a more intimate experience. Check the museum’s website for special events. Guided tours provide deeper insights. You can even take a virtual tour of the museum online.
As you leave the Archaeological Museum of the American University of Beirut, reflect on the treasures you have witnessed. Each artifact tells a story, connecting us to the past.