Irbid Antiquities Museum: A Journey into the Heart of History from the Stone Age to Islamic Civilization

The Irbid Archaeological Museum, historically known as "Beit Al-Saraya," is one of the most prominent living testaments to the region's rich history and cultural heritage. It houses rare artifacts that tell the story of humanity in northern Jordan, from the Stone Age to the Islamic era. The museum is housed within a historic Ottoman building that embodies the splendor of traditional architecture and reflects the city's ancient heritage.

The museum is located on the southern slope of Irbid Hill, in a building constructed in 1886. During the Ottoman era, it was used as an administrative headquarters and prison before being transferred to the Department of Antiquities in 1994, which rehabilitated it and officially opened it as a museum in 2007, preserving its authentic architectural character.

According to the Department of Antiquities in Irbid, the museum includes seven exhibition halls containing thousands of artifacts, carefully arranged chronologically, beginning with stone tools and pottery, through the Bronze and Iron Ages, Roman and Byzantine, and ending with the Islamic era. This gives visitors a rich and gradual experience of history. The museum's visual landscape is completed by two courtyards, one open-air indoor and one outdoor, displaying massive architectural elements such as columns, capitals, and stone sarcophagi. These elements embody local architecture and its development over the ages, giving the space an open feel reminiscent of ancient archaeological sites.
The exhibits include a variety of stone and metal tools, bronze and gold pieces, and mosaics that retain their bright colors. A large pottery jar found at an Irbid site depicts aspects of agricultural life in northern Jordan during classical times.
The museum plays a growing educational role by organizing workshops and interactive tours for school and university students, as well as partnerships with local and international research centers concerned with documentation and preservation, consolidating its position as a center for learning and knowledge exchange.

The museum represents an important knowledge platform that contributes to strengthening national identity and awareness of archaeological history. He noted that its vital location within the old city adds value and makes it a magnet for visitors and researchers. He added that the museum represents a rich reference for students and those interested in history, as it contains exhibits documenting the cultural transformations witnessed in the region over thousands of years. He pointed out that displaying these artifacts in an ancient building adds a visual and emotional dimension that enhances the visitor experience.

He added that the museum plays a pivotal educational role by linking exhibits to school curricula and helping students understand the evolution of everyday tools and the continuity of civilization. He called for highlighting unique pieces, such as decorated vessels and stone statues, as part of cultural promotion campaigns targeting the local community and tourists.

The museum administration is working to introduce digital display technologies and develop virtual tours that enable visitors to explore its contents remotely, a step that keeps pace with digital transformations and enhances its role in supporting cultural and educational tourism.

He emphasized the importance of supporting the museum technically and humanely, enhancing cooperation with academic institutions, developing interactive display tools, and utilizing digital media to enable it to optimally fulfill its educational and cultural mission. For his part, one visitor said that the experience of visiting the Irbid Archaeological Museum is not limited to viewing the archaeological artifacts, but rather extends to constitute a "sensory and cognitive journey that nourishes our sense of belonging and introduces us to the history of our region." He added that what distinguishes this experience is its ability to engage young people and present information in an engaging and interactive manner, different from the traditional classroom approach.