Uşak Museum of Archaeology Located in the heart of the city, the Uşak Museum of Archaeology is home to an extensive collection of artifacts spanning various historical periods. The museum is best known for its most prized exhibit—the Karun Treasure, an exceptional collection from the Lydian era. Visitors can explore a diverse range of artifacts, including Bronze Age sculptures, beaked pitchers, and stone axes. The museum also showcases earthenware dishes, glassware, and stelae from the Hellenistic and Roman periods. Additionally, several exhibits delve into ancient burial customs and religious beliefs. The main hall of the museum features a chronological display of pottery, stone tools, and other artifacts. The museum consists of two floors, with the first floor dedicated to Roman-era sculptures depicting officials, statesmen, and athletes from Uşak. Also on the first floor, visitors can find stone artifacts from the ancient cities of Akmonia (modern-day Çubuk), Blaundos, and Sebaste, all discovered within the borders of Uşak. Whether you're a history enthusiast or simply interested in learning more about the region’s rich cultural heritage, the Uşak Museum of Archaeology is a must-visit destination. The museum also houses an extensive coin collection, a significant highlight due to Uşak’s historical connection to the ancient Lydian state, where the first coins were minted. The intermediate floor features engaging displays that recreate how money was made and used throughout different periods. The second floor is entirely dedicated to the Karun Treasure, a collection of 363 exquisite artifacts from the Lydian-Persian period, dating back to the 7th century BCE. These artifacts were illegally excavated in 1966 by local villagers from the tomb of a Lydian noblewoman near the village of Güre, located 25 km west of Uşak along the İzmir Highway. Smuggled out of Turkey and sold to The Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York, the artifacts remained abroad until their discovery in 1984. Turkish journalist Özgen Acar brought attention to the issue, prompting the Turkish government to initiate legal proceedings against the museum. After a lengthy judicial process, Turkey successfully reclaimed the Karun Treasure in 1993, bringing these invaluable historical artifacts back to their rightful home in Uşak. If you have any questions or inquiries regarding Uşak Museum of Archaeology, please don't hesitate to contact us at [email protected] or simply message us via Whatsapp, and we will respond as soon as possible.