Archaeological Museum of Thessaloniki

Coordinates: 40°37′30″N 22°57′14″E / 40.62500°N 22.95389°E / 40.62500; 22.95389
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Thessaloniki Archaeological Museum
Αρχαιολογικό Μουσείο Θεσσαλονίκης
An exterior view
Map
Established1912
LocationM. Andronikou 6, GR-54621, Thessaloniki, Central Macedonia, Greece
Coordinates40°37′30″N 22°57′14″E / 40.62500°N 22.95389°E / 40.62500; 22.95389
TypeArchaeological
DirectorPolyxeni Adam-Veleni
WebsiteOfficial website

The Archaeological Museum of Thessaloniki (

Hellenistic and Roman periods, mostly from the city of Thessaloniki but also from the region of Macedonia
in general.

The building and the exhibitions

Interior

The museum is housed in a building designed by architect

2004 Athens Olympics
, the museum was extensively renovated and its permanent exhibits reorganized.

The statue of Harpocrates (Roman era).

The central rooms hold exhibits from the archaeological excavations conducted in Thessaloniki and the broader area of

prehistoric settlements, dating from the Neolithic to the Early and Late Bronze Age
.

At present, the collection of Archaic to

Late Roman sculptures from Thessaloniki and Macedonia in general is displayed in the central section of the museum. They illustrate the history of Thessaloniki from prehistoric times to Late Antiquity. These rooms display architectural members from an Ionic temple of the 6th century BC, sculptures of all periods from Macedonia, exhibits from the excavations in the palace complex built by Galerius
in the Thessaloniki city centre, a reconstruction of the façade of the Macedonian tomb in Agia Paraskevi, with genuine architectural members, and finds (mainly gold artefacts) of the Archaic and Classical periods from the Sindos cemetery. In all these rooms, certain important exhibits have been singled out and further information about them is given to help visitors appreciate the importance of each exhibit and of the area and the period from which it comes.

Apart from its permanent displays, the Archaeological Museum also hosts major temporary and thematic exhibitions. In the Manolis Andronikos Room, for instance, there is an exhibition titled The Coins of Macedonia from the 6th Century to 148 BC, with examples of coins that were circulating in Macedonia in that period. A showcase in the lobby of the museum displays some finds from the excavation of the Neolithic settlement at Makrygialos in Pieria, accompanied by information about the progress of the excavation.

In the new wing, the Gold of Macedon exhibition includes finds from numerous excavations in

burial customs
.

The Thessaloniki in Prehistory exhibition aims to recreate a picture of the

British and French troops, and finds from the most important prehistoric settlements in the area (Thermi, Vassilika, Stavroupoli, Oraiokastro, Assiros, Toumba, and Kastana) divided into three chronological groups (Neolithic, Early and Late Bronze Age).[1]

Discovery of possible original statue of Alexander

On 26 February 2010, Greek authorities arrested two men found in illegal possession of various antiquities, including a bronze statue of Alexander, which is possibly a work of Lysippos. If confirmed, this would make it the first original work of Lysippos ever discovered. The statue is currently being examined at the laboratory of the museum, which is expected to confirm or deny its authenticity.[2][3]

Notable exhibits

Fragments of a marble sarcophagus depicting the Caledonian boar-hunt.
  • Derveni krater
  • The statue of Harpocrates (2nd century AD)
  • The Head of Serapis (2nd century BC)
  • Bronze helmet and gold mask (cemetery of Sindos, end of 6th century BC)
  • Marble door (Macedonia tomb of Agia Paraskevi)
  • Copy of "Unveiling" Aphrodite (421/420 BC)
  • Gold medals (250–225 BC)
  • Inlaid floors (mosaic)
  • Gold diadems, gold disks and gold Medusa heads (350-325 BC)
  • Derveni Papyrus (end of 5th century BC)
  • Plaster castings of Las Incantadas (the originals are in the Louvre)

Gallery

  • Red figure pottery (4th BC)
    Red figure pottery (4th BC)
  • Facade of an ancient Macedonian tomb (4th BC); 6.5m long, 4m wide and 4.8m high
    Facade of an ancient Macedonian tomb (4th BC); 6.5m long, 4m wide and 4.8m high
  • Inscription reading: "To Queen Thessalonike, (Daughter) of Philip"
    Inscription reading: "To Queen Thessalonike, (Daughter) of Philip"
  • Restored parts from the Temple of Aphrodite, located in Thessaloniki, almost completely buried
    Restored parts from the Temple of Aphrodite, located in Thessaloniki, almost completely buried
  • Gold diadem consisting of 8 lyre-shaped sections, decorated with acanthus leaves, tendrills and palmettes (320-300 BC)
    Gold diadem consisting of 8 lyre-shaped sections, decorated with acanthus leaves, tendrills and palmettes (320-300 BC)
  • The Derveni Krater (vase for mixing wine and water)
    The Derveni Krater (vase for mixing wine and water)
  • Macedonian coins
    Macedonian coins
  • Exhibition of the "Gold of Macedon"
    Exhibition of the "Gold of Macedon"
  • Macedonian helmet
    Macedonian helmet
  • Macedonian golden wreath
    Macedonian golden wreath
  • Another golden wreath
    Another golden wreath
  • Bronze calyx krater
    Bronze calyx krater
  • Bronze figurines of Hermes and Heracles
    Bronze figurines of Hermes and Heracles
  • Votaive plaque (1st BC)
    Votaive plaque (1st BC)
  • Marble statue of Augustus (Roman period)
    Marble statue of Augustus (Roman period)
  • Epona, patroness of horses. Celtic goddess, may have been introduced in Thessaloniki by Galerius
    Epona, patroness of horses. Celtic goddess, may have been introduced in Thessaloniki by Galerius
  • Funerary relief depicting a family (1st AD)
    Funerary relief depicting a family (1st AD)
  • Philosopher (150-60 AD)
    Philosopher (150-60 AD)
  • Marble statue of Dionysus (2nd AD)
    Marble statue of Dionysus (2nd AD)
  • Head thought to be a portrait of Alexander The Great (175-200 AD)
    Head thought to be a portrait of
    Alexander The Great
    (175-200 AD)
  • Dionysiac composition (200-250 AD)
    Dionysiac composition (200-250 AD)
  • Head of an old man (3rd AD)
    Head of an old man (3rd AD)
  • Mosaic depicting "Winter" (3rd AD)
    Mosaic depicting "Winter" (3rd AD)

See also

References

  1. ^ Museums of Macedonia web site
  2. ^ "Αγαλμα του Μεγάλου Αλεξάνδρου βρέθηκε στην κατοχή αρχαιοκαπήλων". In.gr.
  3. ^ e-go.gr, Pegasus Interactive. "Αγαλμα – έκπληξη στα χέρια των αρχαιοκάπηλων". ethnos.gr. Archived from the original on 4 March 2010. Retrieved 23 July 2016.

External links

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