Curious about ancient cultures? The Harvard Museum of the Ancient Near East, formerly the Semitic Museum, awaits. It’s a portal to a world linked by Semitic languages.
Established in 1889, the Harvard Museum of the Ancient Near East moved here to 6 Divinity Avenue in 1903. The architectural firm A. W. Longfellow broke ground on this site in 1900. Construction finished in the spring of 1902.
Harvard professor David Gordon Lyon’s passion led him to found the Semitic Museum. He was an Assyriologist and traveled the Near East extensively. Artifacts he collected or inspired others to donate form a large part of the museum’s holdings.
The Harvard Museum of the Ancient Near East has over 40,000 artifacts. These illuminate the cultures of the ancient Near East. Objects come from Cyprus, Egypt, Israel, and Iraq. Only a small portion is on display at any time. Some items are now in other Harvard museums.
Inside the Harvard Museum of the Ancient Near East, you’ll find three floors of exhibits. Each tells distinct stories. The first floor features a life-sized reproduction of a family home from Iron Age Israel. These homes were centers for extended families and society.
The second floor explores Harvard’s archaeological expeditions. It shows how scholars shared knowledge of the ancient Near East. You’ll see photos of excavations and notebooks from David Lyon.
The third floor focuses on Mesopotamia and royal propaganda. Plaster casts demonstrate 19th-century teaching methods. A reconstructed chair of Queen Hetepheres of Egypt also stands here. Harvard experts recreated this masterpiece from fragments using cedar, gold, and ceramics.
The Harvard Museum of the Ancient Near East is a true teaching museum. It uses objects to tell stories that educate.
In April 2020, the Semitic Museum became the Harvard Museum of the Ancient Near East. This change reflects the museum’s core mission more clearly. It aims for a more accurate and inclusive representation of its collections.
The Harvard Museum of the Ancient Near East is a hidden gem. It is free to enter. Friendly staff are happy to answer questions. The museum complements nearby Harvard museums. It offers unique artifacts such as glass slides from old expeditions.