Hecht Museum, Archaeological museum at University of Haifa, Israel
The Hecht Museum is an archaeological collection housed within Haifa University that displays objects spanning from the Chalcolithic period through the Byzantine era. The exhibits include ancient tools, pottery, coins, weights, seals, and jewelry recovered from Temple Mount excavations, complemented by European paintings.
Reuben Hecht founded the museum in 1984 to display his personal collection of archaeological artifacts gathered over more than 60 years. His mission was to preserve and document evidence of historical connections between the Jewish people and the region.
The museum brings together archaeological discoveries and European paintings, displaying works by artists such as Corot and Van Gogh alongside ancient artifacts. This pairing allows visitors to explore different cultures and time periods side by side in the same space.
The museum is located on the Haifa University campus and is easily accessible on foot, with clear signage from the main entrance area. Visitors can move through the collection at their own pace, guided by informative labels and visual displays accompanying the exhibits.
The museum preserves the Maagan Michael, a merchant vessel from the 5th century BCE that archaeologists recovered from the sea and now display permanently here. This well-preserved shipwreck is among the oldest known sailing ships and offers rare insight into ancient seafaring construction methods.
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