Museum sights in Jordan
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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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Aqaba Castle
Aqaba Castle, measures around 50m by 50m although it is unusual in having sides of slightly uneven length. It is worth looking around as it has been partially reconstructed and gives some sense of its original form. The first castle may have been built by the Crusaders in the 13th century, but most scholars attribute its construction to the Mamluks during the reign of the sultan Qansur al-Ghuri (1510-17), as attested by the attractive relief inscriptions in Arabic inside the entrance gate.
In one of the eastern rooms off the main courtyard are further inscriptions suggesting that the castle was renovated and enlarged by the Ottomans in both 1587 and 1628. In subsequent ce…
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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
Madaba Museum
The Madaba Museum is housed in several old Madaba residences. Some highlights of the museum include a 6th-century mosaic depicting a naked satyr, a saucy (and partially damaged) mosaic of Ariadne, dancing with cymbals on her hands and feet, and a mosaic in the courtyard depicting two rams tied to a tree – a popular image recalling Abraham’s sacrifice. Spare a few minutes in the Folklore Museum, also housed here and included in the admission price. It features jewellery, traditional costumes and a copy of the Mesha Stele. There have long been plans to move the museum to the Saray, but nothing has come of this yet. It may explain, however, why the museum is rather …
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Aqaba Museum
The small Aqaba Museum is inside the visitor centre. The centre and museum were once the home of Sherif Hussein bin Ali - the great-great-grandfather of the present king, Abdullah II - who lived here for a while after WWI. The collection of artefacts includes coins from Iraq and Egypt, ceramics from the excavations of Ayla (Old Aqaba), 8th-century Islamic stone tablets and some late Byzantine reliefs.
All captions are in English and there are some informative descriptions of the items and the archaeological history of the area. The ticket also entitles you to enter the castle.
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Museum
Before you finish exploring the ancient city, try to visit the small museum just to the northeast of (and uphill from) the Oval Plaza. It houses a small but worthwhile selection of artefacts from the site, such as mosaics, glass, gold jewellery and coins found in a tomb near Hadrian’s Arch. All items on display are well labelled in English, though no photography is allowed. Just as interesting as the exhibits are the inscriptions, tombs and pillars lying higgledy-piggledy in the gardens outside the museum.
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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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Jordan Natural History Museum
JordanNatural History Museum is one of two museums in the grounds of the vast Yamouk University. Both domestic and foreign visitors are welcome. The museum contains a range of stuffed animals, birds and insects, as well as rocks from the region, but very little is explained in English. It’s good for birders, with some beautiful bee-eaters and rollers on display. The museum is in the huge green hangar No 23.
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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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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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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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