From Tent to Temple: Life in the Ancient Near East
A fully interactive exhibition for school age children

This magical, beautifully produced exhibition transports the visitors into a different time and place through experiential and hands-on problem solving activities. All schools will benefit from a visit to this vibrant exhibition that integrates science, geography, art and archaeology with social, ethical and psychological issues. The exhibition animates and complements the study of Ancient Cultures, Religions, History of Western Civilization and Jewish History.

In its 55 interactive stations, the exhibition engages visitors in an active exploration of its five major topics: food, shelter, clothing and adornment, archaeology, and Biblical ideals.

In the section about food, visitors examine the concept of a balanced diet and create a meal from foods of the ancient Near East. They see how important water is and discover how food was procured. They hunt for food, grind wheat and invent cooking implements.

In the section about shelter and building, visitors explore geography as a factor in settlement and styles of building. They weave cloth for a tent, build a farmhouse, explore the simple machines used in the building of pyramids and temples, and "import" the materials used in the construction of Solomon's Temple.

Exploring clothing and adornment, visitors learn about materials used in clothing and jewelry. They find out where these materials came from and dress a mannequin in period costumes representing the styles of the ancient Near East.

In the fourth section of the exhibition, visitors engage in an archaeological excavation to figure out how Biblical clues, paired with archeological finds, help us create a tangible portrayal of the lives of people in the "cradle of civilization."