Museum sights in Amman
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A
National Archaeological Museum
The National Archaeological Museum is just northwest of the Temple of Hercules. It has a good collection of items spanning all eras of Jordanian and regional history, ranging from 6000-year-old skulls from Jericho to Umayyad period artwork. It also boasts some examples of the Dead Sea Scrolls found at Qumran in 1952, a copy of the Mesha Stele and assorted artefacts from Petra and Jerash. Most exhibits are well labelled in English.
Pride of place are three of the Ain Ghazal statues, which date back to 6500 BC as some of the world's earliest sculpture. Finds from the Citadel itself include the head from a statue of the Greek goddess Tyche and some Egyptian-style carvings.
Al…
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B
Military Museum
The simple and solemn Martyr’s Memorial houses this small but interesting museum, which chronicles Jordan’s recent military history, from the Arab Revolt in 1916 (in which 10,000 Arab fighters were killed) through to the Arab-Israeli Wars. It does, however, airbrush over many of the controversial aspects of these conflicts – the 1948 and 1967 wars are hardly mentioned and the 1973 war only in passing. The memorial is on the road to Zarqa, 1km east of the Sports City junction, in the grounds of the Sports City. Take any minibus or service taxi towards Zarqa, but check whether it goes past the Sports City (al-Medina al-Riyadiyah). A private taxi from downtown should co…
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C
Folklore Museum
The Folklore Museum is immediately to the right as you enter the Roman Theatre. It houses a modest collection of items illustrating traditional Jordanian life. They include a Bedouin goat-hair tent complete with tools; musical instruments such as the rababa (a one-stringed Bedouin instrument); looms; mihbash (coffee grinders); some weapons; and various costumes, including traditional Circassian dress. Don’t miss the B&W photos of old Amman by the entrance. Captions are in English.
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Islamic Museum
Inside the King Abdullah Mosque is a small Islamic Museum, which has some pottery pieces, as well as photographs and personal effects of King Abdullah I. There are also a number of pieces of Muslim art, coins and stone engravings. The admission fee to the mosque includes access to the museum.
Women are required to wear something (which can be borrowed at the mosque) to cover the hair; and everyone must remove their shoes before entering the prayer hall.
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Royal Automobile Museum
Car enthusiasts will like the display of over 70 classic cars and motorbikes from the personal collection of King Hussein at the Royal Automobile Museum. It’s in the northwestern suburbs, north of 8th Circle.
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D
Museum of Popular Traditions
Immediately to the left as you enter the Roman Theatre is the Museum of Popular Traditions, which has well-presented displays of traditional costumes, jewellery, face masks and mosaics from Jerash.
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E
Museum of the Political History of Hm Late King Abdullah bin al-Hussein
This museum is worth checking out for its coverage of Jordan’s political life in the early 20th century. It’s next to the Iraqi Embassy, west of 1st Circle.
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