State Archaeological Museum in Warsaw

The State Archaeological Museum in Warsaw (PMA) is a key cultural institution, established in 1928, although its roots trace back to earlier structures from 1920. Since 1958, the museum has been housed in the historic building of the Royal Arsenal at 52 Długa Street, which is an important element of Warsaw's architectural landscape. The museum serves as a national center for archaeological research, collecting, preserving, and promoting collections related to the prehistory of Polish lands. In the interwar period, the museum was a center for the protection of archaeological monuments, with a rich collection acquired from field research and collections from former museums. Before World War II, the development of the institution was anticipated, but these plans were thwarted by the outbreak of the war. After 1945, PMA enriched its collections with exhibits from the Erazm Majewski Archaeological Museum and artifacts from excavations in Biskupin, and in 1956, Biskupin became a branch of the museum. PMA conducts various educational and promotional activities, organizing excavations, museum lessons, and archaeological festivals. The museum consists of many specialized departments dealing with various epochs in human history, including the Paleolithic, Neolithic, and modern archaeology. An interesting fact is the archaeological reserve in Krzemionki Opatowskie, which was established thanks to the efforts of the museum's management. Architecturally, the Arsenal as the museum's headquarters adds a historical character, combining the past with modernity in the protection and promotion of cultural heritage.