Archaeological Museum and Lapidarium, Pecs

The Archaeological Museum and Lapidarium in Pecs is housed in an 18th-century building on Szechenyi Square, designed in the late Baroque style. Since 1922, this historical structure has been home to one of the most significant collections of archaeological artifacts in the region, presenting an extensive timeline of southeast Transdanubian history from prehistoric times to the Hungarian conquest.

The museum's exhibits transport visitors through millennia, showcasing a variety of burial artifacts and cultural relics. Among its most treasured pieces is the Stone Age Madonna from Zengovarkony, a rare prehistoric artifact. Another highlight is the Bronze Age bird-shaped pot discovered in Zok, offering insight into the artistic expressions of early societies.

One of the most fascinating sections is dedicated to the ancient burial customs of the Jakab Hill region. Around 1000 BC, the people of the "urn-field culture" cremated their dead, placing the ashes in urns buried at the site of the funeral pyre. Accompanying the urns were food, drinks, and tools, signifying the community's beliefs about the afterlife. Many of these artifacts have been carefully preserved and displayed within the museum.

The museum's courtyard is home to an impressive collection of Roman tombstones and sarcophagi, unearthed during various excavations in Pécs. These stone relics bear witness to the Roman presence in the city and provide a glimpse into their funerary traditions.

With its diverse collection of artifacts spanning multiple historical periods, the Archaeological Museum and Lapidarium in Pécs offers a captivating journey through time. From prehistoric relics and ancient burial traditions to Roman sculptures and medieval architectural elements, the museum provides an invaluable resource for understanding the region's cultural heritage.