Archaeological Museum of Lorca Facts for Kids

The Archaeological Museum of Lorca (Museo Arqueológico de Lorca) is a cool museum in Lorca, Spain. It's located in a beautifully restored old building called the "House of Salazar," which was built way back in the early 1600s.

This museum is like a treasure chest! It holds all sorts of ancient items found during digs in and around Lorca, and even from other parts of Spain. When you visit, you'll see amazing things that tell the story of people who lived here thousands of years ago.

Discovering Ancient Times in Lorca
Exploring Later Civilizations
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Discovering Ancient Times in Lorca

The museum is organized into different sections, showing history in order. When you first enter, you'll find exhibits from the very earliest times.

Stone Age Tools and Life

In the first part of the museum, you can see artifacts from the Stone Age.

Paleolithic Period (about 95,000 to 32,000 BC): Look for flint tools like scrapers, knives, and points. These were used by hunters and gatherers who lived in places like Black Hill of Jofré near Lorca.
Neolithic Period (around 3500 BC): You'll find arrowheads, polished axes, and handmade pottery. These show how people started farming and living in settled communities.
Copper Age (about 3000 BC): See objects found in ancient burial sites in Lorca's hills. These give clues about their beliefs and daily lives.

Giant Stone Structures and Early Art

Megaliths: Discover large stone structures from the Black Hill in Lorca. These huge stones were often used for tombs or monuments.
Early Idols and Art: Check out small idols made from clay, bone, and stone. These were found in the Glorieta de San Vicente area of Lorca. One special item is a triangular stone plate painted with ancient rock art.

Roman Empire in Lorca

Roman Emperors: See two columns dedicated to famous Roman Emperors, Augustus and Diocletian.
Roman Mosaics: Admire beautiful mosaics from the Roman period. These colorful artworks show faces like Venus and other figures from Roman myths.

Exploring Later Civilizations

The museum also has sections dedicated to more recent ancient cultures that thrived in Lorca.

Bronze Age and Iberian Culture

Argar Culture (2200-1500 BC): This section shows items from the Bronze Age. You'll see objects made of copper and bronze, handmade pottery, and tools for farming like sickles. There's even a model of an ancient village!
Iberian Culture: Learn about the Iberians, who were skilled craftspeople.
- See their amazing pottery, often made using a potter's wheel.
- Discover metal objects, weaving tools, and items used in their funeral rituals.
- Look for parts of their warrior gear, like the falcata (a type of sword), shields, and spear covers.
Iberian Tombs: Explore items found in Iberian tombs, including bronze brooches, rings, and bracelets. You'll also see ceramic cups and loom weights. One cool item is a Greek kylix cup from the 5th century BC. Some pottery even has writing in the ancient Iberian language, which historians are still trying to understand!

Roman Peace and Beyond

Pax Romana (First two centuries AD): This period was known for peace under Roman rule. See decorative mosaics from wealthy Roman villas. There are also Roman ceramics, metal tools, and lamps.
Roman Gods: A bronze image of the Roman god Mercury is on display.
Hispano-Roman Culture: This section shows how Roman and local cultures mixed. You'll find pottery and items related to their religion and burial customs.

Islamic and Medieval Times

Islamic Period: See models of Islamic buildings, like the archway of a mosque. There are also objects from Islamic burial rituals.
Late Middle Ages: Explore items from the 13th century, including parts of the city's old fortifications and castle.
- Discover pieces from the Jewish quarter inside the castle, which existed until 1492.
- You can even see a Hanukkah lamp and glass lamps from the ancient synagogue!

Coins and Pottery Collections

Ancient Coins: The museum has a huge collection of coins and medals. These coins come from many different periods, including Phoenician, Greek, Roman, Byzantine, and Moorish Spain. They cover a long history, from the 2nd century BC to the 17th century AD.
Spanish Pottery: See beautiful Spanish pottery from the 16th and 17th centuries. There are pieces glazed in white, gray, and molasses colors, as well as undecorated items. A special piece from 17th-century Lorca is the "jar girlfriend," a unique pitcher decorated with glass.