Hatay Archaeology Museum

Mosaic in the museum

The Hatay Archaeology Museum (Turkish: Hatay Arkeoloji Müzesi) is the archaeology museum of Hatay Province, Turkey. It is known for its extensive collection of Roman and Byzantine Era mosaics.^[1] The museum is located in Antakya, the main city of Hatay. Construction of the museum started in 1934 on the recommendation of the French archaeologist and antiquities inspector M. Prost.^[2] It was completed in 1938 and came under Turkish control in 1939 following Hatay's unification with Turkey. The museum was opened to the public in 1948 and re-opened in 1975 following renovation and expansion.^[2]

Collection

Hatay has a rich collection of mosaics dating back to the Roman era in the 2nd and 3rd centuries.^[1][3] They have been found in the ancient cities of Daphne, Seleucia Pieria (Samandağ), Antioch and Tarsus. The most famous figures among those depicted by the mosaics are the drunken Dionysos, Orpheus, Dancers, Ariadne Abandoned from Defne (Yakto). Column capitals, a sacrificial altar, a cult image, a bas-relief, a fresco and statues date from the Hittites to Roman periods. They were found by excavations in barrows in the plain of Amik. The works in the museum are arranged according to where they were found. Excavations have been carried out at barrows, tells and ruins such as Guneyde, Dehep, Catalhoyuk, Tainat, Al Mina, Ac-ana, Defne-Harbiye and so on. The collection also includes objects from Antakya and its surrounding regions.

The museum's collection also includes items that reflect the art and culture of the region, from the Paleolithic Age through the present day. The objects are displayed in wall niches. Against the other walls of the room are cases that display a rare coin collection arranged chronologically. The museum's garden includes Roman period sarcophagi, building stones and water jars.

In 1999 German archeologist Jutta Meischner received permission to study and publicize Greek and Roman sculptures from the Hatay Archeology Museum.^[4] In early 2012, a section of the museum's collection was digitized as part of an effort to increase museum attendance.^[5]

Restoration

Restoration taking place in 2014-2015 has been suspended after several major works were botched and local media brought it to the attention of the public.^[6]

See also

• Antioch
• Antioch mosaics

References

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Antakya Archaeological Museum.

External links

• Hatay Archeology Museum website
• Hatay Museum at Ministry of Culture website

Museums in Turkey
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Marmara Region Museum of Nationist Forces in Balıkesir Bilecik Museum Bursa Archaeological Museum Bursa Museum of Turkish and Islamic Art Çanakkale Archaeological Museum Edirne Museum Gelibolu War Museum Kırklareli Museum Kocaeli Museum Mudanya Armistice House Namık Kemal House Museum Rákóczi Museum Sakarya Museum SEKA Paper Museum Tekirdağ Museum of Archaeology and Ethnography Tofaş Museum of Cars and Anatolian Carriages For museums in İstanbul see Museums in Istanbul
Mediterranean Region Adana Archaeology Museum Adana Cinema Museum Alanya Archaeological Museum Anamur Museum Atatürk Museum Adana Ethnography Museum Antalya Museum Atatürk's House Museum (Antalya) Burdur Archaeological Museum Hatay Archaeology Museum İskenderun Naval Museum Kahramanmaraş Archaeology Museum Karatepe-Aslantaş Open-Air Museum Mersin Atatürk Museum Mersin Museum Mersin Naval Museum Mersin Water Museum Mersin Urban History Museum Misis Mosaic Museum Narlıkuyu Museum Osmaniye City Museum Silifke Museum Silifke Atatürk Museum Tarsus Museum Karatepe Arslantaş Museum
Southeastern Anatolia Region Adıyaman Archaeological Museum Ahmet Arif Literature Museum Library Diyarbakır Archaeological Museum Gaziantep Museum of Archaeology Kilis Museum Mardin Museum Şanlıurfa Archaeology and Mosaic Museum

Coordinates: 36°12′07″N 36°09′36″E / 36.2019°N 36.16°E / 36.2019; 36.16