Welcome to the Semitic Museum!

The Semitic Museum, founded in 1889, houses over 40,000 Near Eastern artifacts, most of which derive from museum-sponsored excavations in Egypt, Iraq, Israel, Jordan, Syria, and Tunisia. The Museum, which shares its building with Harvard’s Department of Near Eastern Languages and Civilizations and Center for Jewish Studies, is dedicated to the use of these collections for the investigation and teaching of Near Eastern archaeology, history, and culture.

Through the collaborative efforts of departmental faculty, curators, Museum curatorial staff, and students, the Museum mounts educational exhibits, sometimes in conjunction with courses, that not only serve the needs of the University, but also attract the general public and promote greater understanding of the civilizations of the Near East and its great cultural legacy. The Semitic Museum sponsors archaeological excavations and surveys of complex societies of the Near East, with special emphasis on those ancient cultures related to the world of the Bible.

Featured Object

Twin-Chambered Flask

This Roman Twin-Chambered Flask is made of blown glass. This flask is 12.2 cm tall and was made between the 4th and 5th century CE. You can click on the image or here to view our digital exhibit Engaging Roman Glass.

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Exhibitions and Docent Guided Tours

Exhibitions and docent guided tours are the Semitic Museum's main offering to the general public. Click here to find information about of our current exhibits. Tours are available upon request. Please click on our visit link to start planning your trip to the Museum today!

In addition to exhibitions the Semitic Museum also sponsors lectures and publishes newsletters. If you are interested in finding out more about the Museum's offerings or docent program please email semiticm@fas.harvard.edu.

Publications

The Harvard Semitic Monographs, Harvard Semitic Series, and Studies in the Archaeology and History of the Levant publishes archaeological, historical, philological, and cultural studies of the Near East, many of which present the research of the department faculty and their students. To inquire about submitting a book proposal to the Museum, please contact the Director of Publications. For rights and permissions, inquire here.

Museum Shop

The Semitic Museum Shop also offers a variety of photographic prints, posters, jewelry, and various other hard to find items. Did you see something you liked while you were here, but didn't purchase it? We are always willing to mail items. Call (617) 495-4631 or email semiticm@fas.harvard.edu to place an order.