Traces of the Past: Ankara Archaeological Museums

Ankara archaeological museums are an important part of the capital, which has a special place in our hearts. For this reason, we wanted to take you on a tour of the archaeological world of this beautiful city, where you will witness the firsts.

Anatolian Civilizations Museum (Altındağ)

The Anatolian Civilizations Museum is located in the Altındağ district of Ankara. The building was formerly known as the "Kurşunlu Han". The first museum in the city was the "Eti Museum" established in Akkale in 1921. Upon Atatürk's request, it was decided to enlarge the museum and move it to the center. Thus, the Kurşunlu Han, which became a larger space, began to serve as a museum building in 1943. So, how many sections does this structure, one of the few museums in the world, consist of? Let's say right away; it has exactly 11 sections that you will not be able to get enough of! Initially, the museum contained only Hittite artifacts, but there are sections where you can spend your time from the Paleolithic Age to the establishment of the Republic of Turkey and therefore the historical development of Ankara. It is also possible to see the oldest known map, the Çatalhöyük map, here. The findings from Ahlatlıbel, which was the first official excavation after the declaration of the Republic, are also exhibited here. The museum is open every day between 08:30-19:00 in the summer and 08:30-17:30 in the winter. You can enter with your museum card if you have one. Otherwise, you need to pay an entrance fee. You can also benefit from the audio guide service.

Erimtan Archaeology and Art Museum (Altındağ)

Our second stop, the Erimtan Archaeology and Art Museum, is a private museum where works from the collection of Yüksel Erimtan, an art-loving businessman, are exhibited. Yüksel Erimtan aimed to protect and promote the cultural assets in the country. For this reason, he founded the Yüksel Erimtan Culture and Art Foundation and later ensured that this private museum was opened in 2015. Works from the Roman, Urartian, Hittite and Byzantine periods are exhibited in the museum. Is that all? Of course not. The museum also organizes various learning programs, temporary exhibitions and concerts by Turkish musicians for all art lovers. You can visit six days a week between 10:00-17:00. For those who will go by car, let us state that the museum does not have its own parking lot. However, there are public paid parking lots around the area. The times when the museum is closed are the eves and first days of religious holidays, December 31 - January 1 and Mondays. The museum card is invalid. Adults can visit the museum by paying a small fee, students, teachers and those over the age of 65 can visit the museum at a discount, and children under the age of 4 and disabled visitors can visit the museum free of charge.

ODTÜ Archeology Museum (Çankaya)

ODTÜ Archeology Museum is the first university museum in Turkey. It is located on the ODTÜ campus in the Çankaya district of Ankara. It was founded in 1969 by former ODTÜ rector Kemal Kurdaş and has continued its existence as a private museum to this day. The museum exhibits Early Bronze Age findings from excavations in Koçumbeli and artifacts from Yalıncak dating back to the Late Phrygian Age. Also exhibited here are artifacts from studies conducted by METU researchers in the Ankara Phrygian necropolis. Presentations, various educational programs, and archaeological film or documentary screenings are organized within the museum. These activities appeal not only to adults or university students, but also to children. It is possible to visit every weekday between 09:30-12:30 and 14:00-17:00. Those who want to tour with a guide must make an appointment in advance.

Gordion Museum (Polatlı)

The Gordion Museum is a museum located in the Yassıhöyük village of Ankara, established in 1963. Gordion is the ancient city that was the capital of Phrygia. After the Hittite Empire collapsed, the Phrygians took control. The museum takes its name from this region. Inside, artifacts from the Old Bronze Age to the Early Phrygian Period and the Early Iron Age are exhibited. These artifacts include pottery, iron tools and tools used for weaving. Then, you will see materials from the Hellenistic and Roman Periods as well as coins and seals found in Gordion. Is it possible to leave this region, where there are many tumuli, without visiting the nobles? If your answer is no, you may want to proceed towards the ruins where the tumuli, which are the tombs of the Phrygian nobles, are located. The museum card is valid at the Gordion Museum, one of the archaeological museums in Ankara. If you do not have a museum card, you can enter with a ticket by paying a modest fee. Museum visiting hours are 08:30-19:00 every weekday in the summer and 08:30-17:30 in the winter.

Roman Bath Open Air Museum and Ruins (Altındağ)

Another stop is the Ankara Roman Bath and Open Air Museum, also located in the Altındağ district. It is known that the bath was built in the 3rd century AD during the reign of Roman Emperor Caracalla. As a result of the works carried out between 1997-2001, the open-air It has been opened as a museum. It has been determined that this area is actually a mound dating back to the Phrygian, Roman, Byzantine and Seljuk periods. Architectural pieces divided into groups, from grave steles to inscribed blocks, from column capitals to statues, are exhibited at the site. After entering, you can see the columned road belonging to the ancient city of Ancyra, the Roman Bath and the remains of the palaestra, an area where martial arts were practiced. Then, sarcophagi and lion statues, grave steles and water pipes will greet you. You can enter the museum every weekday. Visiting hours are 08:30-17:00. The museum card is valid. If you do not have a card, do not worry; the entrance fee is quite reasonable.

All of the civilizations that passed through Anatolia, which has been a bridge for centuries, had different cultures and lifestyles. The Ankara archaeological museums we have mentioned will arouse curiosity about this subject and perhaps make you interested in an area you have never noticed before. Finally, let us remind you that the museum ticket offices are closed early. We recommend that you do not leave your visits to the last minute and arrive at least half an hour before closing time.

Written by: Berfin Aktaş