Eretz Israel Museum
Tel Aviv Israel

The Eretz Israel Museum I located on the prestigious neighborhood of Ramat Aviv in Tel Aviv Israel. A visit to this museum is a must for every visitor that would like to know more about this land, the Land of Israel.

The Front of the Museum located in Ramat Aviv, Tel Aviv

Established in 1953

It was established in 1953 and exhibits artifacts of archaeological, anthropological and historical importance. This museum is practically a group of museums built around an existing archaeological site that is still incomplete. It shows about a dozen layers of civilizations. It is called Tel Quasile or Mound.

Artifacts on display in the Nechushtan Pavilion

Nechushtan Pavilion

Here you may see a reconstructed mine from the late Bronze Age, exhibiting mining tools such as copper chisels, hammers and blades, used for the mining activities.

On display there are four furnaces:

Bown Furnace from the Chalcolithic period 4th millennium BCE
Domed Furnace of the Late Bronze Age 14th-13th centuries BCE
Late Bronze Age Furnace 12th century BCE
Shaft Furnace of the Iron Age 10th century BCE

One more furnace from the 13th century BCE was discovered north of the city of Akko or Acre in the Crusaders Fortress of Sommelaria, is on display at the museum.

Exhibits of the Glass Pavilion at the Museum

Glass pavilion

This pavilion exhibiting works on glass from all times is divided into three sections representing three eras of glass production in the Land of Israel:

Pre-Blown Glass - Covering from the Bronze Age to the Hellenistic period 15th to 1st centuries BCE.
Blown Glass – Covering the Roman and Byzantine periods 1st to 7th century CE.
Blown Glass – Of the Islamic Period – 7th to 15th centuries CE

There are also two rare vessels on display that are delicate drinking horns with two mouths known by the Greek names of Rhyton and Ennion’s Blue Jog.

Copper Jewels found in the Medianite Temple on display

Midianite Temple Pavilion

Here the displays are from the 14th century BCE showing a Midianite Temple model. Then, at those times the Pharaohs from Egypt use to send experts and metal smiths from the Land of Midian to extract the copper from Timna, a short distance north of Eilat.

One item is of particular interest, the copper snake with a gilded head found in the shrine, pertaining to the eras of Biblical Nechushtan

Post Office Boxes on display at the Philatelic Pavilion

Philatelic Pavilion

This is a paradise for lovers of stamps. This pavilion is about the history of the postal service in Eretz Israel from the mid 19th century until the founding of the State in 1948.

You’ll find here even a mail truck of those times such as envelopes, aerogram, letters and photographs, as well as telephones and mailboxes.

On display there are rare philatelic displays or rare stamps.

In addition to the permanent exhibits, the Eretz Israel Museums offers many temporary exhibitions, youth activities and cultural events.

The Planetarium at the Eretz Israel Museum is great for all ages

Planetarium

The planetarium is for children over the age of five and has a cost of NIS 23. The shows are Sunday to Thursday at 11:30 and 12:30 and Friday and Saturdays at 11:00 and 12:00.

Something for everyone in the family

If you want to enjoy the whole museum, I suggest you dedicate the day or most of it to this visit. This is a visit through time of this land of ours, its history, culture and art in many in depth exhibitions.

There is a well stocked gift shop on the premises.

Opening hours
Sun: 10:00-16:00
Mon: 10:00-16:00
Tue: 10:00-16:00
Wed: 10:00-16:00
Thu: 10:00-20:00
Fri: 10:00-14:00
Sat: 10:00-14:00

Address
2 Haim Levanon St, Ramat Aviv, Tel Aviv
Tel: 972-3-6415244

credits for images
eretz israel museum by talmoryair
glass pavilion by talmoryair
nechushtan n/a
midianite n/a
philatelic by muhandes
planetarium n/a

all courtesy of wikimedia commons