Museum, Addis Ababa

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The Ethiopian National Museum in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia houses archaeological artifacts showing the history of Ethiopia from prehistoric times to the modern day. It contains historical, cultural and archeological heritage.

The museum is divided into paleontology and pre history section (The 3.2 million year-old skeleton of "Lucy" is in this museum. That is the oldest hominid that has ever been found), historical archeology section, ethnology section and modern art section.

Opening hours:
8.30am - 5.30pm, Mon Tue Wed Thur Fri
9am -5.30pm, Sat Sun
Entrance fee: 10 Birr

Pretty drab museum, but in the cellar is the remains/model of Lucy, the earliest known homo sapien.

Forget the exact price of admission but not more than 20 Birr.

Worth a look but don't expect to spend hours here.

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This is a fantastic museum, if you can find it. Housed in a huge ramshackle house of a minor royal, it tells the story of the founding of Addis Ababa in 1886. Pictures are strictly forbidden. Don’t ask how I got these. The exhibits and photos show how a Polish advisor to Emperor Menelik suggested Addis Ababa as the future site of the Ethiopian capital. It was high enough to avoid malaria, had fertile ground and lots of water. Eucalyptus trees were imported because they grow fast and could meet the needs of a new capital. The area was also blessed by healing hot springs.

Please note: the guide will demand a ‘gift’ at the end of the tour. Don’t do it. Tell him you need to go to a bank and you will be back.

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This is probably the best museum in Ethiopia. It is housed within Haile Selassie's former palace and surrounded by the beautiful gardens of Addis Ababa University. It contains an amazing amount of exhibits and charts the history of Ethiopia. It also displays traditional life in various tribes from birth until death. The sheer amount of costumes, weapons, musical instruments and household items through history is staggering. It also contains Haile Selassie's bedroom and bathroom. There are even small exhibits on currency, modern art and politics. This is a must see here in Addis.

Unfortunately photography is strictly forbidden inside and they take your camera off you. Don’t even try it.

They have a small gift shop with English books and even postcards.

There are two museums worth seeking out while in ADDIS, luckily they are both on the road to Arat Kilo and Entoto Hills in the North of Addis...dont worry everyone will know where you want to go if you just say Museums...

#1 The National Museum
This one contains the famous hominid woman 'Lucy' who is over 3.5million years old. You can take photos. The remains are in the centre of a square room, located in an octagonal shaped glass 'showcase'....thought it would be more spectacular...but the history definitely is!
On the other floors there are statues and monuments from the Axumite and pre-Christian eras.
The grounds are stunningly green and distant from the noisy city around.

#2 the Ethnographic Museum
Further up and located in the main campus of Addis Ababa University is this great little place. It isa former royal chateau and houses ceremoniuos regalia and royal wear. The upper floors are dedicated to Ethiopian artists. The rooms are light and airy and all have a view. Remember to get a guide, they are cheap and embellish the exhibits.

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What the National Museum lacks in size, it makes up with great displays. Relics from Stone Age man all the way through modern day are on display. Some of the more interesting exhibits are coronation thrones of the Emperors, tribal exhibits with clothes & weapons, art, musical instruments and hand made animal-skin Bibles written in Geez. They are able to even display more than 200 styles of cross found across the country. There are some exhibits related to several Emperors that tell the story of Ethiopia. Their most prized display is of our ancient ancestor LUCY. There is also a disturbing set of displays related to the starvation and Communist persecution. A must visit here in Addis.
It is open from 0830-1230 and 1330-1730. Please note it has a dual pricing policy (local/foreigner).

Meet "LUCY" at National Museum. However, I was told that the real LUCY has been sent to USA, the one I've visited was a copy. Entrance fee: 10 Bir for tourist.

http://www.lucyexhibition.com/about-the-exhibit.aspx

With a little help from the Swiss, this museum now showcases a very large amount of old photographs of Addis Ababa's late 19th century history. I admit, I am a photography nut, but this visual history of this particular period in time is superb and really shouldn't be missed. Beyond that the other items on display are more than worth checking out...like all the money that Ethiopia has ever printed. It's conveniently located with a pretty nice gift shop too.