Jordan Museum | Amman

Information

Landmark: Jordan Museum
City: Amman
Country: Jordan
Continent: Asia

Jordan Museum, Amman, Jordan, Asia

The Jordan Museum is a national cultural institution located in the Ras Al-Ein district of Amman, Jordan. It serves as the primary repository for the kingdom’s archaeological and historical artifacts, ranging from the Paleolithic period to the modern era.

Visual Characteristics

The building features a contemporary rectilinear design clad in local grey and white limestone. The exterior is punctuated by rhythmic vertical glass panels and a large cantilevered entrance roof. Internally, the museum is divided into three main galleries-Archaeology, Living History, and Modern Jordan-utilizing minimalist white walls, glass display cases, and interactive digital installations across two levels.

Location & Access Logistics

The site is located on Ali bin Abi Taleb Street, approximately 1 kilometer southwest of the downtown Al-Balad area. It is positioned adjacent to the Amman Municipality building. Public access is available via yellow taxis or local bus routes serving the Ras Al-Ein terminal. A dedicated parking lot is located directly in front of the museum entrance.

Historical & Ecological Origin

Construction was completed in 2013, designed by the Jordanian architectural firm Jafar Tukan and Partners. The project was initiated by the National Museum Committee to consolidate Jordan's historical collections into a single, unified facility capable of housing delicate organic materials, such as the Dead Sea Scrolls.

Key Highlights & Activities

The museum houses the Copper Scroll and other fragments of the Dead Sea Scrolls in a climate-controlled vault. Visitors can view the 'Ain Ghazal statues, which are among the oldest human statues ever discovered. Educational workshops and guided tours of the chronologically arranged exhibits are available daily, except Tuesdays.

Infrastructure & Amenities

The facility includes a library, a conservation laboratory, a gift shop, and a café. Restrooms are accessible on both floors. The entire building is fully climate-controlled and equipped with high-speed 5G cellular signal. Wheelchair ramps and elevators provide full accessibility for visitors with limited mobility.

Best Time to Visit

The museum is open Saturday through Thursday from 09:00 to 17:00 and Fridays from 14:00 to 18:00. Tuesday is the designated weekly closure day. Mid-morning visits provide the best natural lighting for the interior glass-enclosed corridors and avoid the peak afternoon school group traffic.

Facts & Legends

The museum contains the remains of a massive 6,000-year-old water management system found during urban excavations in Amman. A verified historical oddity is the presence of the 9,500-year-old 'Ain Ghazal statues, which were discovered accidentally during road construction in 1982 and are considered some of the earliest examples of human artistic representation.