“This little museum on the Citadel once held Jordan's greatest treasures, the oldest human statues and Dead Sea Scrolls, before they moved to the new national museum.”
About Jordan Archaeological Museum
Opened in 1951 atop the Amman Citadel, the museum long served as Jordan's foremost antiquities collection, gathering finds from the country's many excavations. For decades it housed star objects such as the Ain Ghazal statues and the Copper Scroll. When the modern Jordan Museum opened in 2014, the most important pieces moved there, leaving this museum a still-worthwhile survey of the nation's archaeology.
Overview
The Jordan Archaeological Museum sits atop the Amman Citadel, a compact stone building that was for decades the country's principal museum of antiquities. Though many of its greatest treasures have moved to the modern Jordan Museum, it still offers a concise tour through the archaeology of Jordan, conveniently set among the ruins of the citadel hill.
The Jordan Archaeological Museum sits atop the Amman Citadel, a compact stone building that was for decades the country's principal museum of antiquities.
The Old Treasure House
Built in 1951 on the citadel, this was the main repository for finds from across Jordan throughout the second half of the 20th century. It once displayed the celebrated Ain Ghazal statues and Dead Sea Scroll material, including the Copper Scroll, before these were transferred to the newer national museum. It retains a representative collection of pottery, statuary, jewellery, coins and everyday objects spanning the country's long history.
The Experience
Stepping through, a small, traditional museum whose cases hold pottery, figurines, glass, coins, jewellery and human remains arranged by era, a quick and digestible overview of Jordanian archaeology. Its great advantage is its location, right among the ruins of the citadel, so you can pair the collection with the Temple of Hercules and Umayyad palace just outside. It is a convenient complement to a citadel visit.
Why It Matters
The Jordan Archaeological Museum is part of the historic fabric of the Amman Citadel and a record of the country's archaeological heritage as it was first assembled. While its star pieces have moved on, it remains a useful and atmospheric stop that enriches a visit to the citadel hill.
The Jordan Archaeological Museum is part of the historic fabric of the Amman Citadel and a record of the country's archaeological heritage as it was first assembled.
Why Visit
A concise survey of Jordanian archaeology in a historic museum set right among the ruins of the Amman Citadel, an easy complement to exploring the hill.
✦ Insider Tips
- 1
It is included with the Amman Citadel; visit them together.
- 2
Its star pieces have moved to the modern Jordan Museum.
- 3
It is small; allow under an hour.
- 4
Use it as a cool break from the exposed citadel ruins.
