Dig Deep: Archaeological Discoveries Family Fun Day
Go back in time with your family to ancient Israel with these hands-on workshops.
Join us and our special guests from the Israel Antiquities Authority to brush up on your archaeology with special activities for curious people of all ages. Your family will have the opportunity to make perfumes, create unique pieces of art, design a coin, and discover precious artifacts that shed light on cultures and people from biblical times.
To join the fun, add the Dig Deep: Archaeological Discoveries Family Fun Day to your museum ticket at purchase.
Jun 21, 2024 - Jun 21, 2024
9:00 AM - 4:45 PM EDT
Floor 4
Add-On $4.99
In Person Event
Workshop Descriptions
Mosaic Workshop
Numerous excavations in the land of Israel have revealed decorative mosaic floors in structures, many in public areas such churches and synagogues, while others can be found in palaces, bathhouses, and private dwellings. In this workshop, we will reveal stunning examples of mosaic art from the classical period of ancient Israel and focus on the artistic motifs and inscriptions found in churches and synagogues. Then you will create a small mosaic to take home with you. Delve into this world with us as we explore the art of making mosaics.
Perfume Workshop
The history of fragrances is ancient, and archaeological finds related to fragrances have been discovered in many countries. Mankind began to produce fragrances from various plants in early human history. Fragrances were used to produce pleasant scents for cultic activities, cosmetics, burial rituals, and more.
In the workshop, we will prepare herb and spice samples in small perfume bottles to create a personal fragrance to take home. Join us as we explore the world of ancient perfumes.
Coin Workshop
In the earliest form of commerce, bartering was how people exchanged goods and services. As time went on, precious metals, gold, and silver were weighed on scales using standardized stone weights. Around 2,500 years ago, the first coins were struck. Today, archaeologists find coins with a variety of symbols—written names and words, figures, and geometric symbols. Coins provide important dating evidence for sites. In the workshop, we will make examples of coins discovered in excavations throughout Israel. Join us as we explore the history of ancient coins.
Please note: There are only 30 seats available per workshop. Get your ticket and register for your workshops today.
Workshop Schedule
9:00–9:45 a.m. Archaeology Station
9:45–10:45 a.m. Mosaic Workshop
11:00–11:45 a.m. Perfume Workshop
12:00–1:45 p.m. Archaeology Station
1:45–2:45 p.m. Mosaic Workshop
3:00–3:45 p.m. Perfume Workshop
4:00–4:45 p.m. Coin Workshop
Archaeology Station, Lunch & Learn, and all workshops will take place in the New Discoveries Lab, Floor 4
Speakers
Dr. Shulamit V. Terem
Dr. Shulamit V. Terem is an archaeologist at the Israel Antiquities Authority, working in the archaeological research department, pottery specialization branch. She completed her PhD thesis at the Bar-Ilan University: “Jerusalem and Judaea in the First and Early Second Centuries C.E.: Continuity and Change in the Ceramic Culture and its Implications for Clarifying Settlement History.”
Orit Aflalo
Orit Aflalo is the pedagogical director in the Department of Education at the Israel Antiquities Authority. With an MA in Education Systems Management from Achva College, she is an expert in the field of archaeology education. She trains educational staff and develops educational programs about ancient cultures and the history of the land of Israel.