Various methods of glass vessels

This exhibit demonstrates methods of producing ancient glass vessels, beginning with the core-forming technique and later exploring the glassblowing technique that originated 2,000 years ago. The ways of producing raw glass are shown, as are methods of decorating glass vessels.

Medical supplies This exhibition introduces the visitor to the world of healing in ancient times. This exhibit explores ancient diseases, methods of rational healing, and medications produced from minerals and plants. Among the impressive artifacts are the surgical instruments of a physician from the Roman period. 

Stone vessels

One of the interesting phenomena that characterizes archaeological finds at sites towards the end of the Second Temple period, particularly in and around Jerusalem, is the presence of limestone vessels. Jewish law ("halachah"), which states that stone vessels are not susceptible to ritual impurity, likely initiated the appearance of the flourishing limestone vessel industry. This exhibition recreates the production methods of stone vessels and displays vessels that were used in everyday life in the Second Temple period, including stone tables and coffins. This exhibit also showcases stone vessels in various stages of their production.

Wood figure found in an excavationObjects made of wood are rarely found in archaeological excavations, since wood is an organic material that decomposes. At times, remnants of objects made of wood have been found at sites. This exhibition features finds that were discovered in dry areas of Israel, such as Ein-Gedi and other areas of the Negev. It also displays traditional objects made from wood in this region, including various types of joints, carpenters' tools, locks, plates, combs, cosmetics containers, coffins, and reconstructed furniture.

Metal objects found in the exhibitionThe use of metal is one of the most important innovations in human history and marks a turning point in the history of technology. The exhibition displays various minerals and metals used in ancient times and the methods of smelting and creating metal objects.

Examples of ancient writing systems found in the exhibitionThe invention of writing, a system of agreed upon graphic symbols that serves interpersonal communication, is one of the most important inventions in human history. It generated a revolution in human consciousness and people's way of life. Presented in this exhibit are writing tools and materials, as well as the three types of script that were predominant in ancient times: cuneiform in Mesopotamia, hieroglyphics in Egypt, and alphabetic writing, which was utilized in this region in the mid-2nd millennium. These scripts appear on various finds, which demonstrate the special nature of each script.