Archaeological Museum of Badajoz facts for kids

Quick facts for kids
Archaeological Museum of Badajoz

Museo Arqueológico de Badajoz
Established	1867
Location	Badajoz, Spain
Type	Archaeology museum
Owner	General State Administration

The Archaeological Museum of Badajoz (which in Spanish is Museo Arqueológico Provincial de Badajoz) is a special museum in Badajoz, Spain. It shows off many old things found in the area. These items help us learn about people who lived here long, long ago. The Spanish government owns this museum. But the local government of Extremadura helps manage it.

A Look Back: The Museum's Story

The idea for a museum in Badajoz started way back in 1844. But the real museum began in 1867. It was a new start for an older group that looked after old monuments. The museum truly began to take shape in 1869. This was when it received many ancient objects. These objects came from digs at a place called Los Cercos. Before this, the small collection was shown in a meeting hall. This hall belonged to the local government.

During the Spanish Civil War, in 1938, the museum's ownership changed. It moved from the local government to the State Museums department.

The museum moved several times over the years. Finally, in 1989, it opened in its current home. This building is called the Palacio de los Condes de la Roca. It is inside the old walled area of the Alcazaba of Badajoz. Also in 1989, a deal was made. This deal gave the management of the museum to the Junta of Extremadura. The Spanish government still owns the museum.

What You Can See: The Collection

The museum has a huge collection of "warrior steles." These are ancient stone slabs with carvings of warriors. They come from the Late Bronze Age. About one-fourth of all these steles found in the Iberian Peninsula are here!

The museum also has many old tiles. These tiles come from different places. Some are from Toledo, Medellín, and Granada.

The museum's permanent exhibits cover many time periods. You can learn about:

• The natural environment of the area
• Prehistory (times before written records)
• Protohistory (early historical times)
• The Roman period
• The Late Roman period
• The Visigothic period
• The Islamic period
• The Christian Middle Ages

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  An old human-like statue from Rena (around 3000 BC)

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  A warrior stele (carved stone) from Los Llanos

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  A bronze horse from Cancho Roano (around 5th century BC)

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  A Punic-Tartessian pot from Siruela

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  An unknown Roman bust found in La Majona

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  A beautiful Roman mosaic floor

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  A Visigothic pillar from the Alcazaba (6th century AD)

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  The gravestone of Sapur, the first king of Badajoz in the 11th century

See also

In Spanish: Museo Arqueológico Provincial de Badajoz para niños