Harvard Museum of the Ancient Near East

The Harvard Museum of the Ancient Near East, founded in 1889, explores the history and cultures of the ancient Near and Middle East. It serves Harvard’s teaching mission as well as the general public and researchers worldwide. Highlights include ancient Egyptian coffins, life-sized casts of famous Mesopotamian monuments, a full-scale replica of an ancient Israelite house, and tablets bearing some of the earliest forms of writing.

In the exhibit From Stone to Silicone: Recasting Mesopotamian Monuments, a Snapchat-based augmented reality experience called The Art of Intimidation: Journey to Ancient Assyria brings large casts of sculpted panels from the royal palaces of ancient Nineveh and Nimrud to life. The museum is one of the four Harvard Museums of Science & Culture and sits a short walk across the historic Harvard campus from Harvard Square.

What to Know

• Admission to the museum is free for all visitors.
• Audio tours of the Mediterranean Marketplaces exhibition are available in English and Spanish.
• Touch tours for blind and visually impaired visitors can be scheduled in advance.
• Tours led by Harvard students are offered.