Amman Archaeological Museum – A True Ancient Treasure Trove

Amman Archaeological Museum is situated in the Amman Citadel in Jordan’s capital, and is home to some of the most prized historical artifacts ever discovered. Enjoy a visit to this wonderful museum with one of our epic Egypt and Jordan tours.

Amman Archaeological Museum

Entrance of Amman Archaeological Museum.

Jordan is unlike any country you’re ever likely to visit, and it really is an adventurer traveler’s dream come true. Everywhere you go in the country; there are places to see which date back thousands of years. Of course for those who have studied the history of this ancient land, it’s no secret that Jordan has overcome incredible hardships to get where it is today.

Jordan – Home To One Of The Planet’s Most Treasured Museums

Amman Archaeological Museum might not be one of the most famous Jordan tourist attractions or one of the most spectacular museum in the world, but it certainly has a lot going for it. For starters, it is located in the world’s oldest “continuously” inhabited complex, the Amman Citadel in Amman, the capital of Jordan.

Amman Archaeological Museum itself was built in 1951 and is home to many priceless artifacts dating as far back as prehistoric times through to the 15th century.

The Ain Ghazal Statues

The Ain Ghazal statues are the oldest human statues ever discovered. They were discovered at a “Neolithic” archaeological site in north western Jordan, known as Ain Ghazal which dates back to 7250 BC. Based on numerous archaeological discoveries in the area, Ain Ghazal is now believed to be the planet’s oldest prehistoric human settlement in what is known as the Near East.

Records also show that the estimated population of around 3000 people went into rapid decline after 6500 BC. The actual reason for the sudden decline remains unknown, as do many other aspects of this ancient settlement. Many of the artifacts that have been discovered at the site, including the Ain Ghazal statues are now on display at the Amman Archaeological Museum.

Not all of our Egypt and Jordan combined tours include a visit to this museum, but it certainly can be included if requested because all of our itineraries are fully customizable.

The Dead Sea Scrolls

The Dead Sea Scrolls were only discovered quite recently (1946 to 1956) in a cave situated about one mile inland from the Dead Sea. They are the oldest written manuscripts ever discovered, and are of great significance in terms of religious studies, along with great linguistic importance.

As the scrolls changed hands from one dealer to the next and from one museum to the next, several fragments were lost to damp and mildew. Today the scrolls are housed in special enclosures that include precision temperature control; humidity control and etc.

There is little dispute regarding the age of the Dead Sea Scrolls, thanks to modern dating techniques, but there is still a great deal of debate and disagreement regarding the actual content of the scrolls.

Amman Archaeological Museum – A Perfect Chronological Treasure Trove

One of the most endearing aspects of the Amman Archaeological Museum is the fact that all the artifacts are displayed in perfect chronological order, starting from the Paleolithic Period all the way through to the Ayyubid Period some 800 years ago.

Considering just how long ago the Paleolithic Period was, artifacts dating this far back are in short supply the world over. Nonetheless, visitors will see several such artifacts on display in the museum. As one wonders through the museum and the various eras represented, the number and diversity of artifacts increases substantially.

The section of the Amman Archaeological Museum which houses artifacts dating from the Early Bronze Age; the Middle Bronze Age; the Late Bronze Age and the Iron Age always tends to attract large numbers of visitors. One can quite literally spend several hours perusing the range of items on display, allowing their magic to transport you hundreds and thousands of years back in time.

Moving on to the sections displaying artifacts relevant to Persian Period; the Roman Period and the Islamic Period, the museum takes on a somewhat more modern feel that offers an unimaginable insight into the region’s more recent past.

For the best possible experience, visitors should set aside several hours, if not an entire day for exploring this fantastic museum that lies in the heart of one of the world’s most historical regions. A visit to the museum is quite honestly an experience one can never forget.

Explore The Best Of Jordan

To find out more about tourist attractions in Jordan, and how you too can get to explore Amman Archaeological Museum as part of an all-inclusive package tour, please visit our Egypt and Jordan Tours page.

 

 

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Last Updated on July 12, 2020