It is housed in a
neoclassical
building of the former Panarcadic hospital "Evangelistria", which was founded
during the years 1895-1905. The building was designed by Ernst Ziller. The archaeological
museum was established by the Ephor of Antiquities, Dr. Theodoros Spyropoulos,
during the years 1980-1986 and was inaugurated by the then Minister of Culture
Melina Merkouri.
The museum houses about 7.000 findings, coming mostly from recent
excavations in Arcadia. It is administrative centre of the archaeological services
of the prefecture and it also has a cultural and educational role.
The museum contains the following collections:
•Prehistoric collections (Neolithic-Mycenaean)
•Findings from the Mycenaean cemetery of
Palaiokastro
Gortynias
•Vases of Geometric and Archaic date from
Mantineia
and
Megalopoli
•Vases of Hellenistic and Roman date from Kynouria and Megalopoli
•Sculptures of Archaic and Classical date from
Asea
and Mantineia
•Sculptures of Hellenistic and Roman date from
Eva
Kynourias, Mantineia and
Tegea
•Classical - Hellenistic (Pottery - Figurines - Glass): 5th-2nd century BC
•Classical - Hellenistic (Metal objects - tomb types - child toys): 5th -
2nd century BC
•Inscriptions of Classical and Roman date from various sites in Arcadia
•Various categories of votive offerings from sanctuaries in Arcadia
•Bronze vessels and weapons of classical, Hellenistic and Roman date from
Megalopolis and
Arcadic
Orchomenos
The most important items of the museum are:
Clay idols
of neolithic date from
Sakovouni
Kamenitsas Gortynias.
Male and
female idols in the well known forms, but also others that present originality
in poses and themes.
Stirrup
jar of Late Mycenaean date (12th century B.C.) from Palaiokastro Gortynias.
Nice specimen of vase manufacture and decoration techniques of a local Mycenaean
workshop.
Small stirrup
jars of Late Mycenaean date (12th centurey B.C.) from Palaiokastro Gortynias.
They are decorated with
octapuses.
Clay akroterion
of Laconic type with gorgoneion head from the pediment of the temple of
Hippios
Poseidon in Mantineia. It is dated to the Archaic period.
Headless
marble statue of sitted goddess (Athena) from Asea. Work dated to 510 B.C.,
and probably executed by the Athenian sculptor Endoios.
Bronze helmet
of early Hellenistic date from Megalopolis. There is only one parallel at the
British Museum. It comes from Euphratis and is connected with the expeditions
of Alexander the Great.
Votive relief with representation of Kybele, together with her priestesses
and worshippers. From the villa of Herodes Atticus in Eva. Pentelic marble, 4th
century B.C.
Tondo with representation of Hercules and Auge in relief. Diameter:
80cm. Late Hellenistic decorative relief from the Villa of Herodes Atticus in
Eva Kynourias.
Slab with representation of the nine Muses and Apollo. Original Hellenistic
work of the 2nd century B.C . Neo-attic relief from the Villa of Herodes Atticus
in Eva Kynourias.
