Nestled in the heart of Jerusalem, the Israel Museum stands as a beacon of cultural heritage, housing some of the most significant ancient treasures that shed light on millennia of human history.
Among its vast collection are artifacts that stand out for their historical, archeological and cultural significance. Preserving and showcasing these ancient treasures not only enriches our understanding of the past but also serves as a testament to the enduring legacy of human civilization.
If you’re planning a trip to the museum, make sure you check out these 10 items recommended by the staff.
1. Second Temple-era stone container
![Perhaps this multi-compartment storage container was used by an ancient grandfather to store his fishing tackle. Photo by Zohar Shemesh/The Israel Museum](https://static.israel21c.org/www/uploads/2024/04/1._box-768x512.jpg)
Dating back to the days of the Second Temple, approximately 516 BCE – 70 CE, a rare multi-compartment stone container has recently been unveiled to the public. Discovered during excavations in the City of David within Jerusalem Walls National Park, this unique box provides a glimpse into ancient storage practices and possibly endured events like the Great Jewish Revolt against the Romans that began in 66 CE. The box was burned, likely in the destruction of Jerusalem in the year 70.
2. The Dead Sea Scrolls
![An excerpt from the Dead Sea Scrolls. Photo by Ardon Bar-Hama/The Israel Museum](https://static.israel21c.org/www/uploads/2024/04/scrolls-768x492.jpg)
Perhaps the most renowned of all discoveries on display, the Dead Sea Scrolls offer invaluable insights into ancient Jewish life and thought. Dating from the third century BCE to the first century CE, these manuscripts, found in caves near Khirbet Qumran, are a treasure trove for scholars studying Judaism, Christianity and the Hellenistic-Roman era. They’re housed in their own building on the museum’s grounds.
3. History’s earliest ancient figurine
![What now appears to be a very old stone was once a very new carving of the feminine form. Photo by Meidad Suchowolski/The Israel Museum](https://static.israel21c.org/www/uploads/2024/04/figure-768x1200.jpg)
A 233,000-year-old figurine of a woman, from Berekhat Ram in the Golan Heights, represents humanity’s earliest known artistic expression. Carved from volcanic material, this tiny artifact showcases the ingenuity and creativity of ancient artists.
4. Calcified barley seeds
![10 must-see ancient treasures at the Israel Museum](https://static.israel21c.org/www/uploads/2024/04/seeds-768x611.jpg)
These ancient barley seeds from the Neolithic period may look like simple seeds, but they are actually evidence of the agricultural revolution that transformed human societies. The ability to cultivate and store crops marked a pivotal moment in human history, leading to profound changes in lifestyle and civilization.
5. Objects from the Cave of the Treasure
![The composition of the treasure hoard makes one wonder what ancient religions could do with access to a modern kitchen’s cookware. Photo by Yoram Lehmann/The Israel Museum](https://static.israel21c.org/www/uploads/2024/04/hoarde-768x921.jpg)
A fascinating hoard of 429 ritual objects discovered in a cave in the Judean Desert offers a window into ancient religious practices and the efforts to preserve cultural heritage during uncertain times. They date from the Chalcolithic period, 4500–3500 BCE.
6. Lion reliefs
![These statues stand as proof that public libraries weren’t the first ones to come up with the “lions guarding the entry” aesthetic. Photo courtesy of The Israel Museum](https://static.israel21c.org/www/uploads/2024/04/Orthostat_lions._Photo_©_Israel_Museum_Jerusalem-768x962.jpg)
Once believed to possess mystical powers, lion reliefs decorated public buildings in ancient
Syria and Mesopotamia in the Late Bronze Age, 15th–13th century BCE. The ones displayed at the Israel Museum may have adorned the entrance to the Orthostat Temple at Hazor, and provide an understanding of ancient beliefs and artistic traditions.
7. House of David victory stele
![This relic makes reference to the Davidic dynasty. Photo by Meidad Suchowolski/The Israel Museum](https://static.israel21c.org/www/uploads/2024/04/stele-768x576.jpg)
This ninth century BCE inscription, part of a monumental stone slab, contains the earliest reference to the Davidic dynasty outside biblical texts, shedding light on ancient political rivalries and power struggles. In the inscription, Hazael, king of Aram, boasts of killing Joram of Israel and Ahaziah of “the House of David.”
8. Ossuary of Joseph son of Caiaphas
![10 must-see ancient treasures at the Israel Museum](https://static.israel21c.org/www/uploads/2024/04/Ossuary_of__Caiaphas_Jerusalem_1st_cent_CE-768x638.jpg)
Linked to Joseph son of Caiaphas, the high priest involved in the arrest of Jesus, this ossuary offers a tangible connection to events depicted in the Christian Scriptures, making it a significant artifact for biblical scholars and historians alike.
9. Busts of Hadrian
![The emperor’s skin tone was likely not this metallic, as bronzer had not yet been invented. Photo by John Williams/The Israel Museum](https://static.israel21c.org/www/uploads/2024/04/hadrian-768x1023.jpg)
The display of three bronze portraits of Emperor Hadrian (117 – 138 CE) marks his symbolic return to Jerusalem, showcasing the complex legacy of a ruler known for both his enlightened policies and controversial actions in Judea.
10. Ancient coin collection
The Israel Museum’s numismatic collection features a wide array of coins from different historical periods, providing visual evidence of economic and political developments throughout ancient times.