Holy land (Room 88)
3rd century BC – 8th century AD
Closed until further notice
The Hellenistic, Roman and early Byzantine periods of the Levant
are featured in this gallery. Objects on display include
archaeological finds from Petra, in modern-day Jordan, Hellenistic
bronze "lion masks", Jewish ossuaries (stone burial chests)
and nineteenth century models of King Herod’s fortress at
Herodium and the Temple in Jerusalem.
Other important objects come from the early Christian Monastery
of St Lot in Jordan, built over a cave where, according to
tradition, Lot and his daughters took refuge after the destruction
of Sodom and Gomorrah.