Museum of Philistine Culture, Ashdod
The Museum of Philistine Culture in Ashdod is the only museum dedicated solely to the Philistine culture. It has a permanent exhibition of rare archaeological finds, presented with digital tools.
The Museum also invites visitors to dress as Philistines, try out their type of weapons, and have a Philistine style feast.
Who Were the Philistines?
The primary historical source about the Philistines is the Bible, yet written from a Jewish perspective; it presents them as oppressive, aggressive, and cruel. Noiwonder that In modern English, Philistine is a derogatory term for a solid yet unclever caricature (a barbarian).
However, the archaeological evidence presents the contrary. The Philistines were sea-faring people from the Aegean Sea who settled in the Holy Land in five main cities (the Philistine Pentapolis). Excavations at some of their sites (namely Tel Qasile, Gath, and Ekron) uncovered a wealth of finds attesting to a sophisticated culture, clearly superior to their contemporary Israelites.
Visiting the Ashdod Philistine Museum
The Museum is open every day of the week. Another wing of the museum is devoted to temporary exhibitions of various topics.
A tour to the Museum of Philistine Culture in Ashdod can be combined in a guided day tour in the Judean Foothills (the Shephelah).
