The Istanbul Archaeology Museum is an archeological museum, located in the Eminönü district of Istanbul, Turkey, near Gülhane Park and Topkapı Palace.
The Istanbul Archaeology Museum actually consists of three museums. Those are the main Archeology Museum, the Old Eastern Works Museum and the Enameled Kiosk Museum. It houses over one million objects that represent almost all of the eras and civilizations in world history. The extremely ornate Alexander Sarcophagus, once believed to be prepared for Alexander the Great, is among the most famous pieces of ancient art in the museum
The museum excels, however, in its rich chronological collection of locally found artifacts that shed light on the origins and history of the city.
Right now, The Istanbul Archaeology Museum has the overall responsibility for the largest active archaeological dig in the world. Excavations for an important transportation hub in Yenikapi Istanbul revealed the remains of a Byzantine harbor. More than 30 boats from that period have already been found. Various universities are deeply involved in excavating and conserving the majority of the boats.
It’s cool that you can view many of the new findings in the museum already.
Location
Topkapi Palace (to the right of and behind St. Irene).
tel 0212/520-7740.
Admission 5.50YTL ($4); includes the Museum of the Ancient Orient and the Çinili Kösk.
Open on Tues-Sun 9am-5pm.
For more information visit their website http://www.kultur.gov.tr
