Treasures saved from Gaza: the exhibition on the history of Gaza through archaeology is extended at the IMA

For many decades, thePalestinian enclave of Gaza has suffered extensive damage, which has multiplied since October 2023, leading not only to massive loss of life but also to the destruction of its archaeological heritage. Since 2007, the Musée d'Art et d'Histoire de Genève has become the museum of refuge for a collection of over 500 works belonging to the Palestinian National Authority, which have never been able to return to Gaza.

To keep this cultural heritage alive, and to highlight the heritage and history of Gaza, theInstitut du Monde Arabe is organizing a new exhibition focusing on exceptional archaeological finds. From April 3 to December 7 2025, come and admire Gaza's Saved Treasures, 5000 Years of History.

Around a hundred of these priceless masterpieces, from the Franco-Palestinian excavations begun in 1995, and from private collections, are presented to the public, in some cases for the first time, to bear witness to Gaza's past since the Bronze Age. This long and rich history is revealed through amphorae, statuettes, oil lamps and a Byzantine mosaic unveiled thanks to the excavation of an ecclesiastical complex in Jabaliyah.

• To be read
• This Week's Best Deals in Paris and Île-de-France, January 12–18, 2026
• Free museums and monuments in Paris and the Ile-de-France region: cultural tips

In the past, Gaza 's location was home to numerous archaeological sites from all eras, now destroyed or endangered. In the past, it was praised for its gentle way of life and coveted for its strategic position in the Egyptian-Persian stakes, a port for the riches of the Orient, Arabia, Africa and the Mediterranean. A treasure that is in danger of disappearing, with Unesco noting that almost 70 cultural sites in Gaza have already disappeared or suffered damage, including the Greek Orthodox church of Saint-Porphyre.

These archaeological treasures tell the fascinating story of a land at the crossroads of the greatest civilizations. Statuettes show the marriage of Egyptian and Greek gods, while amphorae testify to the importance of the wine trade. Architecture bears witness to the passage of Romans, Byzantines, Mamelukes and Crusaders... All religions, all great societies have shaped Gaza, leaving behind them treasures for historians and archaeologists.

The Arab World Institute's exhibition also tackles the issue of heritage in wartime, in a space dedicated to mapping the bombardments, recording the latest archaeological discoveries in Gaza, and showing previously unpublished photographs of the city from the early 20th century.

This test was conducted as part of a professional invitation. If your experience differs from ours, please let us know.