Exhibition Curator: Ofra Guri-Rimon

Archaeology is among the fields of research that tends to interest many, in part due to natural curiosity about human history. Moreover, the idea of ruins of ancient cultures buried underground and the possibility of discovering treasures hidden in the distant past have created an aura of romance and adventure around archaeology that has inspired authors and filmmakers. The antiquities laws are intended to restrain treasure seekers, whose rummaging in ancient sites causes irreversible damage to archaeology research, since looted hoards – even if they are subsequently confiscated by the authorities – lose their archaeological context, and consequently they cannot contribute to our understanding of archaeological or historical issues.

A view of the exhibition

An archaeologist who discovers a hoard has to consider several issues: To whom did the hoard belong? Was it privately or publicly owned? Why was it hidden? Was it valuable property whose owners chose to hide it from others’ eyes in the same way as we would use a safe today, or was it hidden in a time of insecurity and uncertainty about the future, when individuals and communities increasingly felt the need to hide their valuable possessions? What information does the hoard provide on the economy of the period, commercial ties and cultural influences?

Curator: Ofra Rimon

Cylinder weights

 The exhibition encompasses various fields dealing with the subject of measurement: time, volume, width, and length.

Ancient sundials represent the measurement of time, and inscriptions on archaeological finds represent ancient calendars and methods of counting the years. Measuring volume was the most frequent measurement in commercial transactions. Weighing was devoted to special goods, such as spices and medicines, as well as precious metals that served as means of payment. Containers represent the measuring of volume, both dry and liquid; inscriptions testify to volumetric units.

Curator: Rachel Shakouri

Catalogue

Prior to 1958, chance relics were found attesting to Caesarea's glorious past, and since 1959 the city's remains have been exposed in systematic excavations conducted by expeditions from various research institutions. Several factors, primarily the developed harbour, combined to make Caesarea the hub of economic activity embracing land and sea.

Curator: Yizhar Hirschfeld 

Preface (from the exhibition catalogue): Ofra Rimon, museum curator and directorA view of the exhibition

Archaeological evidence has revealed that human activity first began in the desert oasis of Ein Gedi thousands of years ago because of its unique qualities, in particular its copious water sources. Archaeological excavations and surveys at the site were initiated in 1949 with the sounding and survey conducted by Benjamin Mazar. Yohanon Aharoni and Joseph Naveh carried out additional surveys there in the 1950s, and large-scale excavations, directed by Mazar on behalf of the Hebrew University of Jerusalem and the Israel Exploration Society, took place in the 1960s. These excavations uncovered a Chalcolithic compound on the mountain terrace above Ein Gedi, the remains of settlements from the Israelite to the Byzantine periods at Tel Goren, and a Roman bathhouse in the middle of the plain between Naḥal David and Naḥal ‘Arugot. From 1970-1972, the various phases of a synagogue dating to the Roman-Byzantine period were revealed in excavations directed by Dan Barag of the Hebrew University and Yosef Porat of the Israel Antiquities Authority.

Curator: Ofra Rimon

Medicine book from the Roman period

The need and the ability to find a cure for sickness and pain are as old as humanity, so that in many senses the beginning of medicine coincides with the beginning of human civilization. The exhibition "Illness and Healing in Ancient Times" displays finds that shed light on the history of medicine in Eretz-Israel and neighboring countries from the Chalcolithic period (4th millennium BCE) to the close of the Byzantine period (mid-7th century). The need to find a remedy for the ailments and pains that accompany one from the moment of birth to death, and the need to banish the fear of dying and to prolong the life of man, has led to various solutions. The search for solutions, from which the history of medicine has evolved, originated in prehistory – as is evident from research on human bones from those times – and has continued up to the modern day.

Curators of the Exhibition: Ann E. Killebrew and Vered Raz-Romeo

View of Akko

This exhibit is dedicated to Akko’s rich tangible and intangible heritage through the ages. Akko’s impressive archaeological remains, historic structures, and rich cultural heritage are illustrated by a multitude of historical texts, colorful stories, and oral histories. Because of its strategic, coastal location, and its natural harbor, for five thousand years Akko has served as a major cross-roads and meeting place between East and West.

Curator: Renate Rosenthal-Heginbottom

Sculpture of Dionysos

The exhibition focused on four main subjects: 

• The Dionysiac culture in the ancient world.
• The Dionysiac culture in Eretz-Israel and the Eastern roots of this culture.
• The Dionysiac retinue - Silenos, satyrs, maenads.
• The vine as a central motif in the Dionysiac cult and its manifestation in both Jewish and Christian art of the Roman and Byzantine periods.

Curator: Dani NadelKids in the exhibition

The exhibition "Ohalo II: A 23,000-Year-Old Fisher-Hunter-Gatherers' Camp on the Shore of the Sea of Galilee," is devoted to finds recovered from a prehistoric site on the shore of Lake Kinneret (Sea of Galilee).

The excavations that took place at the site between 1989 and 1991 and again from 1998-2001 were directed by Dr. Dani Nadel of the University of Haifa. The discovery of the site was a byproduct of the decrease in the water level in recent years, following long periods of drought in the country. The lower water level exposed the remains of the camp that until then had been submerged. The site is located at a height of 212/213 meters below sea level, about 3-4 meters below water level when the lake is full.

Curators: Avner Raban, Ya'el D. Arnon and Rachel PollakJars from the exhibition

The exhibition displays finds from digs that have been conducted in Caesarea since 1992 as part of the tourist development of the site. The range of items demonstrates the character of the material culture that existed in Caesarea in the early 11th century and its affinity to Fatimid Egypt and its capital, Fustat. Displayed, too, are pottery, glass utensils, metal items, objects of wood and ivory, candles, jewels, and more.

Curator: Renate Rosenthal-Haginbottom

A view of the exhibition

Preface (from the exhibition catalogue): Ofra Rimon, past museum curator and director

The exhibition ‘The Nabateans in the Negev' presents archaeological finds discovered in the Negev cities of Elusa, Nessana, Rehovot-in-the-Negev, Sobata, Oboda, and Mampsis, as well as at way stations and fortresses along the Nabatean ‘Spice Route’ – or more accurately, the ‘Incense and Spice Route’– through the Negev Desert and the Arava Valley. The remains uncovered at these Nabatean sites, along with finds attributed to the Nabateans revealed in neighboring countries, are evidence of their prosperity and economic success resulting from their position as middlemen in the incense and spice trade, especially during the Hellenistic and Roman periods. Their economic success influenced their culture and way of life – converting them from their nomadic traditions to life in permanent settlements and cities. Later, during the Byzantine period, the Nabateans abandoned their pagan beliefs and became Christians, as evidenced by the remains of magnificent churches in their cities. The present exhibition concentrates on the material culture from the Nabatean sites in the Negev and the Arava, and does not deal with Nabatean architectural remains.

Curators: Ofra Rimon and Rachel Shchori

Catalogue

From the beginning of human civilization, animals have had an important role in the life of human beings: they attack them or are hunted by them; they provide food, transportation, and material for clothing; they are guardians and companions, sources of pleasure and amusement.

The variety of animal characteristics, such as strength, elusiveness, elasticity, cruelty, or grace, captured the eye of the ancient artist. As a result, we find animals depicted throughout the history of ancient art as parts of utensils, toys, furniture, jewelry, and other artifacts used in daily life. Dr. Leo Mildenberg’s collection of animals is proof of this magical attraction, which fascinated artists in ancient times and, through them, the collector himself.