The Semitic Museum
Mon.-Fri., 10 am-4 pm; Sun., 1 pm-4 pm
(closed holiday weekends)
6 Divinity Avenue, 617-495-4631
www.fas.harvard.edu/~semitic

Founded in 1889 by Jacob Henry Schiff, the Semitic Museum is the principal repository for Harvard's holdings of Near Eastern archaeological artifacts. Its collections represent all of the major cultural areas of the ancient Near East, including Egypt, Israel, Syria-Palestine, Mesopotamia, Anatolia, Cyprus and Iran. It houses finds from such sites as Samaria, Shechem, Serabit al-Khadim, Nuzi, Idalion, and Carthage. Access to the research collections is available to qualified scholars by appointment only. The Museum also conducts archaeological research at the ancient seaport of Ashkelon in Israel.

Continuing exhibits at the Semitic Museum are "The Houses of Ancient Israel: Domestic, Royal, Divine," "Ancient Cyprus: The Cesnola Collection," "Nuzi and the Hurrians: Fragments from a Forgotten Past," and "Ancient Egypt: Magic and the Afterlife." There is no charge for admission. Museum shop.

   No wheelchair access; contact the Museum Office for assistance.