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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.

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Special Commencement Announcement

  • The Harvard Museums of Science & Culture will be open during Harvard University Commencement on Thursday, May 26, and Sunday, May 29, 2022
  • Street parking on Oxford Street and Kirkland Street is not available from Tuesday, May 24 through Sunday, May 29
  • Public transit is recommended 
  • Harvard Yard will be closed to guests during Commencement ceremonies
  • Harvard Museum of Natural History grounds will be busy. Alternate access is available at the Peabody Museum, 11 Divinity Avenue

 

The Harvard Museum of the Ancient Near East is one of the four Harvard Museums of Science & Culture. We encourage you to read our Know Before You Go policies.

 
Hours: Sunday–Friday, 11:00am–4:00pm

Closed: Dec. 24–25 and Jan. 1

How to use the Virtual Tour

Featured Video

3D Models

Peg Figurine by Harvard Museum of the Ancient Near East on Sketchfab

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. 

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