Museum of Anatolian Civilizations

The Museum of Anatolian Civilizations (Anadolu Medeniyetleri Müzesi) was named the first European Museum of the Year in 1997. Its galleries trace Anatolian archaeology in one chronological sequence, from the Paleolithic through the Neolithic, Early Bronze Age, Assyrian trading colonies, Hittites, Phrygians and Urartians to the Greek, Roman, Byzantine, Seljuq and Ottoman periods.

The exhibits fill an old Ottoman storage building of the Mahmut Paşa bazaar on the south side of Ankara Castle. The neighbouring Kurşunlu Han holds the library, laboratory and workshops. The buildings were acquired because Atatürk wanted a Hittite museum. After remodelling and repairs lasting from 1938 to 1968, they opened as the Ankara Archaeological Museum.

Finds come from excavations at Karain, Çatalhöyük, Hacılar, Alacahöyük, Kültepe and other sites. Works in gold, silver, glass, marble and bronze sit alongside coin collections that run from the first minted money to modern times. With about 450,000 visitors a year, it suits anyone seeking a broad overview of Anatolia's ancient past.