# Mediterranean Marketplaces: Connecting the Ancient World ![View inside a replica iron age house.](/sites/g/files/omnuum3086/files/styles/hwp_21_9__1920x825/public/2024-12/hero-med_mktplace.jpg?itok=MnG7p28H) ## expand\_more Much like today, ancient “consumers” were connected to distant markets. Both basic and precious goods from faraway lands “shipped” to royal palaces, elite estates—sometimes even rural households—and technological advances in craftsmanship and commerce transcended boundaries of language, religion, or culture to spread rapidly. *Mediterranean Marketplaces: Connecting the Ancient World* explores how the movement of goods, peoples, and ideas around the ancient Mediterranean transformed the lives and livelihoods of people at all levels of society, driving innovations that had lasting impacts—even on the modern world. Over eighty objects in *Mediterranean Marketplaces* have [interactive 3D models](https://sketchfab.com/hmane/collections/mediterranean-marketplaces)—including the cat model seen in the short video below—which can be 3D-printed with the proper equipment. Watch Chief Curator Adam Aja describe six of the objects from this exhibition and how they represent ancient Mediterranean trade. The [videos below](#med-marketplace-videos) discuss food storage, harvest seasons, and yarn dyeing. ## Gallery Tours Open all sections Close all sections ### Tours by Harvard Students expand\_more This free tour, led by Harvard students, explores the [*Mediterranean Marketplaces: Connecting the Ancient World*](/mediterranean-marketplaces) exhibition and how the movement of goods, peoples, and ideas around the ancient Mediterranean transformed the lives and livelihoods of people at all levels of society. Touch replicas and smell “ancient” scents as the students bring the past alive. Available during the Harvard Academic Year Sundays at 1:00 pm, October 5, 2025–April 26, 2026. See blackout dates.\* \*Blackout dates: November 30, 2025–January 25, 2026, March 15, 2026 and March 22, 2026 Visitors may drop in at the scheduled times. No reservation is required. Tours meet in the lobby and last approximately 45 minutes. Tours for groups of ten or more must be scheduled at other times. Tours may be available by advance request in these languages: Hindi, Bengali, and Mandarin. ### Touch Tours for Blind and Visually Impaired Visitors expand\_more ### **Touch Tours: Mediterranean Marketplaces** Available for blind and visually impaired visitors, this tour explores the [*Mediterranean Marketplaces: Connecting the Ancient World*](/mediterranean-marketplaces) exhibition and how the movement of goods, peoples, and ideas around the ancient Mediterranean transformed the lives and livelihoods of people at all levels of society. Touchable replicas, a braille map, and items to smell are coupled with descriptions to spark discussion about innovations that had lasting impacts—even on the modern world. A sighted companion is welcome. Available by appointment during the Harvard academic year Monday–Friday 11:00 am–3:00 pm Sundays 2:00 pm October 5, 2025–April 26, 2026. See blackout dates.\* \*Blackout dates: November 27, 2025–January 29, 2026 and March 15–22, 2026. Free. [Registration required](https://harvard.az1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_9X0xHdbN0FR7VLn) at least one week in advance. The museum welcomes [service dogs](https://adata.org/factsheet/service-animals). To request a reservation, please complete the registration form or call 617-495-2916. Tours may be available by advance request in these languages: Hindi, Bengali, and Mandarin. ### Mediterranean Marketplaces Audio Tour expand\_more [](/med-marketplace-audio-tour) ![Icon of a phone.](/sites/g/files/omnuum3086/files/styles/hwp_1_1__100x100_scale/public/semitic/files/phone.hsm_.png?itok=xHinBcIM) [Mediterranean Marketplaces Audio Tour](/med-marketplace-audio-tour) ### Audioguías del Mercados Mediterráneos expand\_more [](/mercados-mediterr%C3%A1neos-audiogu%C3%ADa) ![Icon of a phone.](/sites/g/files/omnuum3086/files/styles/hwp_1_1__100x100_scale/public/semitic/files/phone.hsm_.png?itok=xHinBcIM) [Audioguías del Mercados Mediterráneos](/mercados-mediterr%C3%A1neos-audiogu%C3%ADa) ## Mediterranean Marketplace Videos ![2 skeins of colorful yarn.](/sites/g/files/omnuum3086/files/styles/hwp_16_9__480x270/public/2024-12/yarn-dyeing.png?h=71609801&itok=wHRptfUm) [### Yarn Dyeing ](https://youtu.be/2Xhs-iaUkN8)Learn about traditional wool yarn dyeing with fiber artist Linda Whiting. ![ancient clay food storage vessel.](/sites/g/files/omnuum3086/files/styles/hwp_16_9__480x270/public/2024-12/thumb-food_storage.jpg?itok=-cBwyQfA) [### Food Storage ](https://youtu.be/jjy0uNhz0l0)Think of transport amphoras (storage jars) as the cardboard boxes of the ancient world. ![bowl of different olives.](/sites/g/files/omnuum3086/files/styles/hwp_16_9__480x270/public/2024-12/harvest-seasons-olives.png?itok=72r6IWDK) [### Harvest Seasons ](https://youtu.be/vm5Pth0Tok8)Staple crops like wheat, barley, grapes, and olives set the rhythm for the agricultural year in the ancient Mediterranean. ![curator and coin with head of alexander the great.](/sites/g/files/omnuum3086/files/styles/hwp_16_9__480x270/public/2024-12/alexander-great-coin-video.png?h=758f1769&itok=RF6Msavn) [### Alexander the Great Coin ](https://youtu.be/ZfrdrpQEXeY)This coin depicting Alexander the Great was a standard form of currency from Greece to India. ![curator with statue of torso and head.](/sites/g/files/omnuum3086/files/styles/hwp_16_9__480x270/public/2024-12/stone_statue.png?h=fa127cbc&itok=8lPfcekH) [### Stone Statue ](https://youtu.be/Mbxt-5Ue5D0)Chief Curator Adam Aja shows this fine stone statue. ![curator and cuneiform tablet.](/sites/g/files/omnuum3086/files/styles/hwp_16_9__480x270/public/2024-12/cuneiform_video.png?h=c3e9e998&itok=jl7y7cTb) [### Cuneiform Tablet ](https://youtu.be/PopvwoKFbGI)This tablet records the delivery of 32 high-end sandals and boots. ![curator and headless prisoner statue with hands bound behind back.](/sites/g/files/omnuum3086/files/styles/hwp_16_9__480x270/public/2024-12/prisoner_video.png?h=6c04ee9a&itok=p3JFy1Yd) [### Prisoner Statue ](https://youtu.be/22nmHwnobAo)This statue may represent a prisoner of war. ![curator and model of river boat with canopy and six standing figures.](/sites/g/files/omnuum3086/files/styles/hwp_16_9__480x270/public/2024-12/boat_model_video.png?h=b71d9708&itok=GgZbAgjd) [### Boat Model ](https://youtu.be/Nsshl2tIX0A)This boat model was one of many objects depicting daily life in ancient Egypt. ![curator and sculpture of seated cat.](/sites/g/files/omnuum3086/files/styles/hwp_16_9__480x270/public/2024-12/cat_video.png?h=1c0c4f4e&itok=BX2iRWwL) [### Cat Figurine ](https://youtu.be/h1scdJpp_BA)This bronze cat is from Ptolemaic Egypt. *Gallery photo: EJSP Visual | Julieta Sarmiento*