Exploring Holy Land Archaeology at the National Campus
The Jay and Jeanie Schottenstein National Campus for the Archaeology of Israel serves as the central headquarters for the Israel Antiquities Authority and a working public center in Jerusalem’s Givat Ram neighborhood. Located on Museum Row between the Israel Museum and the Bible Lands Museum, this expansive facility acts as the primary repository for the material heritage of the region. As you walk through the complex, you encounter a space designed to house approximately two million archaeological objects representing roughly 5,000 years of diverse history.
Designed by architect Moshe Safdie, the structure is physically cut into the hillside, stepping down the natural topography so that its roof-level entrance aligns with the adjacent museums. Inside, the campus consolidates national artifacts, administrative offices, and specialized conservation laboratories that were once scattered across the city. You can observe the behind-the-scenes processes of preservation as you pass active workspaces where researchers clean, document, and restore ancient finds, including the Dead Sea Scrolls.
Your visit continues up to the large rooftop plaza, which functions as an open-air exhibition space offering sweeping views of the Jerusalem hills. Here, you will find a permanent display of Byzantine-era mosaics excavated from ancient churches and synagogues across the region. Among these is a sixth-century mosaic floor from Ein Gedi featuring a Judeo-Aramaic inscription. By opening its working laboratories and archives to the public, this Jerusalem archaeology museum provides a transparent look at how the complex cultural history of the region is meticulously preserved.
