Konya Archaeological Museum

Konya Archaeological Museum

The Konya Archaeological Museum is a state archaeological museum located in Konya, Turkey. Established in 1901, the museum was relocated twice before moving to its present building in 1962. It is one of the eight state-owned museums in Konya.

One of the museum’s most prominent displays consists of sarcophagi and antiquities from the ancient city of Çatalhöyük. The collection spans a broad chronological range, including artifacts from the Neolithic, Bronze Age (Early and Middle Bronze), Iron Age (Phrygian and Urartian), Classical, Hellenistic, Roman, and Byzantine periods. Exhibited objects include ceramic vessels, stone and bronze tools, ornaments, inscriptions, and sculpture.

Among the most significant objects is a 3rd-century AD marble sarcophagus decorated with elaborate reliefs depicting scenes from the life of Hercules (Herakles). In the open-air courtyard, visitors can also see small sculptures, sarcophagi, column capitals, and epigraphic material.

History

The museum was first established in 1901 in a section of the Karma Secondary School. It was relocated to the Mevlana Museum in 1927, and later to the İplikçi Mosque in 1953. In 1962, the museum reopened in its current purpose-built structure.

The museum is situated in the historic inner city of Konya, accessed through narrow streets, on Sahip Ata Caddesi.

Exhibition Halls

Prehistoric Hall

The Prehistoric Hall displays artifacts from the Neolithic Period (3000–1950 BC), primarily unearthed during excavations at Çatalhöyük. These include terracotta pottery and stone tools.
The hall also presents material from the Early Bronze Age (1950–1750 BC)—mainly ribbed terracotta vessels—from excavations at Virgin, Karahöyük, and Beyşehir, as well as Middle Bronze Age terracotta objects and bronze rings from Konya Karahöyük.

Iron Age and Classical Hall

The Iron Age Hall contains painted and plain pottery dating from the 8th to 6th centuries BC, originating from Konya Alaaddin Hill, Phrygia, and Kıcıkışla, along with Urartian figurines.
Artifacts from the Classical Period include finds from Kıcıkışla, such as kylixes, lekythoi, and a black-painted oinochoe.
The Hellenistic collection (330–30 BC) features pottery in various forms, while small Roman bronze figurines depicting Hermes, Eros, and a bull are also exhibited.

Roman and Byzantine Hall

The Roman Period Hall displays artifacts dating from 30 BC to AD 395, primarily from Iconium (ancient Konya). Highlights include the Sidemara-type marble Herakles Sarcophagus with columns (AD 250–260), along with pottery, glassware, ivory objects, and jewelry.

The Byzantine section (AD 395–1453) features base mosaics from churches in Sille, Tatköy, Çumra, Alibeyhöyük, and Kilise, as well as bronze door knockers, cauldron handles, crosses, seals, and arrowheads.

Notable masterpieces in this hall include:

• The 3rd-century marble sarcophagus depicting the Labors of Hercules
• A Roman terracotta sarcophagus
• A marble sarcophagus with festoon reliefs
• A 2nd-century statue of Poseidon
• A religious stone relief of the goddess Cybele, the Anatolian Mother Goddess

Collections

The museum houses an important epigraphic collection comprising 231 Greek inscriptions, of which 91 originate from Konya, with the remainder from surrounding regions. Additionally, the collection includes 10 Latin inscriptions.

Another significant collection consists of six commercial amphorae used for storing and transporting wine, garum, and olive oil in ancient maritime trade. These amphorae were designed with pointed bases, allowing efficient stacking aboard ships to ensure stability during voyages.

Museum Grounds

In addition to the indoor galleries, the museum grounds feature an open-air exhibition area displaying small sculptures, sarcophagi, column capitals, and epigraphic monuments. Exhibits are also arranged in the entrance portico and front garden, including Byzantine gravestones from Sille and Konya and Roman funerary slabs.

Among the most important outdoor exhibits are:

• A limestone block bearing an inscription from Derbe, attributed to the period of Saint Paul the Apostle
• Two inscribed stone monuments: one naming the city of Derbe, and another altar bearing the name Lystra