Konya Archaeological Museum

The Konya Archaeological Museum is a state archaeological museum located in Konya, Turkey. Established in 1901, the institution holds significance for its comprehensive display of artifacts spanning from the Neolithic period to the Byzantine era, with particular prominence given to antiquities from the ancient city of Catalhoyuk. The museum provides a chronological overview of regional history through its curated halls of ceramic, stone, bronze wares, ornaments, and inscriptions.

The museum was established in 1901 within the southwestern corner of the Karma Secondary School. As the collection expanded, it underwent two relocations before settling in its current facility. In 1927, the artifacts were moved to the Mevlana Museum, and in 1953 they were transferred to the Iplikci Mosque. The museum finally reopened in a dedicated, newly constructed building at its present location in 1962.

The museum's holdings encompass a broad chronological range from the Neolithic period through the Byzantine era. Neolithic artifacts derive from excavations at Catalhoyuk, Erbaba, and Suberde, featuring handmade terracotta pottery and obsidian tools. The Early Bronze Age is represented by brightly polished terracotta vessels from Sizma and Karahoyuk, while the Middle Bronze Age, corresponding to the Assyrian Trade Colonies, includes rhyton vessels, bronze tools, and cylinder seals from Karahoyuk. Iron Age exhibits feature Phrygian pottery with geometric patterns from Kicikisla and Alaaddin Hill, alongside Urartian bronze fibulae. Classical and Hellenistic periods are illustrated through black-figure pottery such as kylixes, lekythoi, and oinochoai, as well as brightly burnished plates. Roman period artifacts are the most extensively represented, including bronze statuettes, glassware, and jewelry, while Byzantine exhibits highlight floor mosaics and religious bronze objects.

Among the most significant objects in the collection is a third-century AD marble Sidemara-type Heracles Sarcophagus with columns, discovered in Yunuslar Village in the Beysehir District, which features elaborate relief sculptures depicting the twelve labors of Hercules. Other prominent Roman pieces include a second-century statue of Poseidon, a terracotta sarcophagus, a marble sarcophagus with Pamphylia-type garlands and engraved festoons from the Iconium necropolis, and small bronze figurines of Hermes, Eros, and a bull. Byzantine highlights include a large floor mosaic measuring 6.30 by 3.50 meters, dating to the sixth century AD, which was recovered from the Tatkoy Church in Sille during 1990 excavations, alongside mosaics from Alibeyhoyuk. The museum also preserves six commercial amphorae crafted with pointed bottoms for maritime trade, and significant epigraphic remains including 231 Greek inscriptions and 10 Latin inscriptions. In the outdoor yard, a limestone block inscribed with the name of the city of Derbe and an altar piece inscribed with Lystra hold particular biblical and historical importance.

The current museum building was opened in 1962 to house the growing collection. The interior is organized into distinct exhibition halls dedicated to specific historical periods, including the Pre-Historic Hall, the Iron Age Hall, and the Roman Period Hall. Beyond the interior galleries, the museum grounds feature an outer open yard, a portico, and a front garden. These exterior spaces are utilized to display architectural fragments, column capitals, small sculptures, sarcophagi, grave stelae, cemetery slabs, and epigraphy from the Roman and Byzantine periods.

The Konya Archaeological Museum is situated in the interior of Konya, approached by narrow lanes on Sahip Ata Caddesi in the Sahibiata neighborhood of the Meram district. It operates as one of eight state-owned museums in Konya under the administration of the Ministry of Culture and Tourism. The museum is open to visitors throughout the year, closing on Mondays, with operating hours from 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM.