Libyan museums are hardly known outside
Libya. They are rarely listed in or covered by
any of the specialist publications and
organisations, and despite the fact that Assaraya Alhamra Museum being one of the most valued museums in
the world, largely for its unique collection of artifacts
dating from the Stone Age to the present
day, Libyan museums still remain in total
darkness.
To this day, not a single museum has
a website.
It is for these reasons that Temehu.com
has decided to build Libya's first online
museum, to allow people, students and researchers
from all over the world
a free access to this unique treasure. Any reviews, articles, photos
or
feedback will
be greatly appreciated. Although Temehu's Online Museum is
still in its early stages, we have plans
to include detailed reviews and analysis
of all the museums of Libya, a
photo gallery
about the whole country, organised
by town, a
video
gallery,
Libyan
jewellery
gallery, traditional
crafts
gallery, and
prehistoric art galleries. We have also added a report about archaeological
vandalism and robberies in Libya, and this can be accessed from the above menu
(far right). All photos are copyright protected, and therefore copying or using
these photos without prior permission or without crediting and linking to the source is not permitted. Please write to us for full details.
Visit our
Libyan Art Galleries
for photos from various rock art shelters and caves, photos of Tuareg
jewellery, crafts and traditional industries, the Muhuggiag mummy, and the Garamantian
chariots.
Photo Galleries
Our
Libya photo gallery, organised by region: please select from the "View" menu
the site you would like to see photos from.
Opening Days
Every day except
Friday. The holiday was changed
from Monday to Friday (holy day), in line with everything
else, effective from 01/01/2009. The decision
was issued by the Archaeology Department.
Exceptions: Leptis Magna Museum continues to open on Fridays and close on Mondays. The reason for this was that originally all museums were open on Fridays to allow Libyan families a chance to visit the museums during the weekend, as they were unable to attend during the week.
Update: (September 2010):
According to a new recent law all museums in Libya now close on Mondays, just as they were before the above change.
Entrance Fees
This board shows the entrance fees, in Arabic.
Translation of the fees board:
For Libyans above ten years old: 3 LYD
For Libyans under ten years old: 1.5 LYD (1500 dirham)
Student Groups: 1.5 LYD
Non-Libyans: 6 LYD
Under ten years (non-Libyans): 3 LYD
Other Fees
Camera fees: 5 LYD; video
camera: 10 LYD.
Guide
Guides are compulsory, and usually cost
about
50
LYD.
It is possible to hire a guide
speaking a language of your choice, so
long as it is a major language like English,
French, Italian or German.
Cloakrooms
Cloakrooms are available in most major
museums. Please leave your bag(s)
in your hotel room or in your guide's
vehicle if you do not wish to leave
it in a cloakroom. If you decide
to use a cloakroom, please make sure
there are no valuable items in your
bag. However, 'valuable items' and passports should
not be left in cars or
hotels either.
