The National Archeological Museum has had its place in Palazzo della Crocetta since 1880 and gathers interesting collections of civilities long gone which, however, continue to spark the interest of modern man.
The first section dedicated to the Egyptian culture, originating two million years ago, is of major importance. One can admire instruments and domestic utensils with various origins, fragments of papyrus with chapters from the book of the Dead; the Egyptians believed in an afterlife and therefore possessed formulas for the survival of the dead after death. Another hall of the Archeological Museum contains instruments for mummifications and Canopic vases; jar used in ancient Egypt to contain the entrails of an embalmed body.
In the second section of the Museum one can instead admire pieces from the Etruscan civilization; domestic utensils, animal bronzes, antique weapons, (headpieces, knives, daggers) all findings found in the areas of Chianciano, Chiusi, and Volterra, but among all of these pieces the most important is that of the "Mater Matuta", a woman with child in arms, symbol of fertility and motherhood.
The third section is dedicated to Attica Ceramics which include funerary amphoras, magnificent vases painted with the technique of black figures, with the famous Hidria, vase used for drawing water from a fountain portraying scenes from women at the fountain.
Between 550 and 530 B.C., the Attica ceramicists delighted if depicting scenes of deeds of brave heroes.
The fourth and last section holds various Roman bronzes; masks, statues and drawings of brave heroes. To emphasize are the two Elogia Arrentina dedicated to Quinto Fabio Massimo and Appio Claudio Cieco, two marble tables that illustrate the events of the lives, careers, and political commitments of the two men. Detailed information is available in all halls of the Museum.