Click here to view a short instructional video about how to use this virtual tour.

A New Name for the Harvard Semitic Museum

 

The Harvard Semitic Museum will now be known as the Harvard Museum of the Ancient Near East (HMANE). The new name is designed to be more inclusive and accurately reflect the diversity of the museum’s collection.

 

Founded in 1889, the museum was conceived as a teaching tool to study the ancient histories and cultures of people who spoke Semitic languages, among them Israelites, Moabites, Arabs, Babylonians, and Phoenicians.

 

The museum’s focus remains on the wide variety of diverse peoples living in the eastern Mediterranean region, parts of modern-day Iraq, and even of north Africa, including the Egyptians, Assyrians, Hittites, and Philistines.

 

Read an interview with director Peter Der Manuelian for a full explanation of the name change.

 

Watch for the continuing transition to Harvard Museum of the Ancient Near East in the museum’s online presence and public outreach.

three dimensional image of a coffin.

How to use the Virtual Tour

Museum Temporarily Closed to Public

Health and Safety Update

As Harvard University works to welcome a limited number of students and staff back to campus, Harvard Museums of Science & Culture continues to monitor the evolving coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak and consider enhanced protocols for a safe return for onsite visitors.  While we remain temporarily closed, we encourage you to enjoy the museum at home with new and frequently refreshed digital content via HMSC Connects!. Stay tuned for a full schedule of virtual fall programs, including classes, tours, lectures, and events.

Directions

By Train

1. Take a MBTA Red Line to Harvard Square Station
2. Take a Massachusetts Avenue exit
3. Walk diagonally through Harvard Yard to
4. Continue walking through the Plaza
5. Turn right on Kirkland St
6. Turn left onto Divinity Ave

By Bus

1. Take the 86 Bus to Kirkland St
2. Turn right on Kirkland St
3. Take the first left onto Divinity Ave
 

By Car

From Harvard Square

1. Head East on Massachusetts Ave
2. Make a slight right onto Cambridge St
3. Make a slight left to stay on Cambridge St
4. Turn left onto Quincy St
5. Turn right onto Kirkland St
6. Take your first left onto Divinity Avenue

 

HMSC Connects!

Text: HMSC Connects

Featured Video

3D Models

The museum has created 3D models of some choice objects from its collections. This peg-shaped, stone figurine would have been placed in the foundation of an important structure as it was being built. You can view more of our models here. 

Director's Welcome

Recent Publications