Elazığ Archaeology and Ethnography Museum

The Elazığ Archaeology and Ethnography Museum was first established on 30 April 1965 in the Alacalı Mescit at Harput under the name Harput Museum. As a result of extensive surveys and excavations carried out within the scope of the Keban and Karakaya Dam projects, the need for a modern museum became apparent. Construction of a new museum building began in 1971 on the campus of Fırat University, and on 28 July 1982 the museum reopened under its current name.

A Regional Museum of Eastern Anatolia
Elazığ Museum serves as a regional museum responsible for the movable and immovable cultural heritage of Elazığ and Bingöl provinces. In addition to exhibiting artifacts, the museum plays a vital role in identifying, protecting, and monitoring archaeological sites, preventing illicit excavations and trafficking, and promoting historical and cultural awareness in the region.

Collections & Galleries
The museum consists of three main sections:

• Archaeology and Coin Gallery
• Carpet & Kilim Gallery
• Ethnography Gallery

Its collection includes a total of 32,021 registered artifacts, comprising:

• 15,578 archaeological objects
• 5,356 ethnographic works
• 11,087 coins

Archaeological Highlights

Among the most remarkable exhibits are:

• A Paleozoic coral fossil
• Finds from the Paleolithic Period, regarded as the earliest evidence of human presence in the region
• Neolithic obsidian tools linked to the first settled communities
• Terracotta fruit bowls and animal motifs reflecting the region’s early agricultural and pastoral economy
• Spindle whorls used in wool spinning
• Bronze Age terracotta human idols, bull figurines, and painted vessels illustrating the artistic and intellectual life of their time
• Seals from the Hittite, Urartian, and Assyrian civilizations
• Roman-period glass vessels
• Coins representing all historical periods

A particularly outstanding piece is the Harput Relief, transferred to the museum in 2016 from the Harput Nevruz Forest area—one of the museum’s most unique and valuable artifacts.

Ethnography, Carpets & Kilims

The Carpet–Kilim and Ethnography Gallery showcases finely crafted regional handwoven carpets and kilims, along with ethnographic objects that vividly illustrate the traditional lifestyle, customs, and craftsmanship of Eastern Anatolia.
In the museum garden, stone artifacts from various periods are displayed in an open-air setting.

Cultural Heritage Responsibility
As of December 2019, the museum’s area of responsibility includes 447 registered immovable cultural assets—375 in Elazığ and 72 in Bingöl. The museum also oversees and regularly inspects 10 registered private collectors, ensuring compliance and providing updates on stolen artifacts within Türkiye.

Research & Education
The museum’s specialized library, containing 1,697 books on general culture and regional history, serves students, researchers, and academics.

Elazığ Archaeology and Ethnography Museum offers a comprehensive introduction to the deep history of Eastern Anatolia, from humanity’s earliest traces to the refined cultural expressions of later civilizations—making it an essential stop for visitors exploring Harput, Elazığ, and the Upper Euphrates region.