Jerash Archaeological Museum | Jerash

Information

Landmark: Jerash Archaeological Museum
City: Jerash
Country: Jordan
Continent: Asia

Jerash Archaeological Museum, Jerash, Jordan, Asia

The Jerash Archaeological Museum is a specialized research and exhibition facility located within the ancient city of Gerasa, Jerash. It is situated on a hill overlooking the Cardo Maximus, specifically housed within an early 20th-century structure repurposed to preserve the region's excavated artifacts.

Visual Characteristics

The museum is housed in a single-story stone masonry building with a traditional flat roof and arched windows. Its interior consists of vaulted halls containing glass display cases and stone plinths. The surrounding courtyard features large-scale outdoor exhibits, including limestone sarcophagi, weathered basalt inscriptions, and fragments of Roman architectural relief.

Location & Access Logistics

The facility is located on the eastern ridge of the Jerash Archaeological Park, approximately 50km north of Amman. Visitors enter through the main South Gate and follow the paved path past the Oval Plaza for roughly 400 meters. The museum is positioned near the South Theatre; there is no direct vehicle access to the building, requiring visitors to use the central parking lot at the Jerash Visitor Center.

Historical & Ecological Origin

The museum was established in 1923 by the Department of Antiquities to house the findings from initial British and American excavations. The building itself dates to the late Ottoman period and was integrated into the park's infrastructure to serve as a central repository. It preserves a chronological sequence of human occupation in the region, ranging from the Neolithic period to the Mamluk era.

Key Highlights & Activities

Visitors can view a significant collection of Roman statuary, including life-sized marble figures recovered from the Nymphaeum and the North Theatre. Detailed displays of pottery, glass, and jewelry demonstrate the evolution of local craftsmanship over two millennia. Archaeological students and researchers frequently use the site to examine Greek and Latin epigraphic remains found throughout the Decapolis.

Infrastructure & Amenities

Restrooms are located in the adjacent plaza area near the South Theatre. The museum interior provides a rare shaded and climate-controlled environment within the otherwise exposed archaeological park. 4G and 5G cellular signals are stable throughout the building and courtyard. Food and water must be purchased at the park entrance, as no vendors operate at the museum itself.

Best Time to Visit

The museum is best visited during the midday hours (12:00–14:00) as a retreat from the peak heat and direct sunlight of the open ruins. It is open daily, though Friday and Saturday hours are typically reduced. Photography inside the museum is permitted but requires the use of high-ISO settings due to limited natural light within the vaulted galleries.

Facts & Legends

A primary highlight of the collection is the rare silver and gold coins minted locally during the Roman and Umayyad periods, which prove the city's economic independence. A local historical "secret" is that the museum houses a unique collection of Lead sarcophagi, which are significantly rarer in the Levant than the standard limestone versions found throughout the rest of the park.