The museum, launched in May this year, is the first of its kind in the world, according to the National Parks Authority. Over 700 artifacts on display, revealed to the public for the first time, include a Second-Temple era talit (prayer shawl) and the famous "12 lots of Masada" - shards of pottery which each bear a single name and which may have been used as the death lots in the final moments of the Jewish rebels' last act of defiance against the Romans. The artifacts focus around three main themes: Herod, the Rebels, and the Roman Army.

The atmosphere surrounding the visitor and the artifacts is presented against a life-size backdrop, which includes the floor, walls, sculpted figures, and architectural elements - all of which have been executed meticulously and painted in shades of dark gray to black to create the feeling of an "absent presence" that fades into the dark. The visitor will move through the designed spaces with earphones and will listen to informative explanations of what lies before them, including a dramatic presentation that will help him or her "see and feel" the story behind the archaeological finds. The integration and harmony between archaeological artifacts, theatrical backdrop, radio play, and audio presentation create a unique experience that invites the visitor to become one with the amazing story of Massada.

The last space in the museum is dedicated to the excavator of the site, Professor Yigael Yadin, and concludes the fascinating story of Massada that has been presented between two poles - beginning with the narrator-historian Flavius Josephus and ending with the excavator and archaeologist Yigael Yadin.