Archaeological Museum of Samos
The Archaeological Museum of Samos is located near the center of Vathi, the capital town of the island. It is consisted by two buildings; the first is called Paschalion Archives, built in 1921 and the new building of the museum, which first opened its doors to public in 1987. The museum contains remarkable collections of archaic sculptures, terracotta, miniatures, as well as ivory, ceramics, bronze and wooden findings from all over the island.
Visitors will have the opportunity to admire prehistoric tools, ancient inscriptions and coins, elaborate vases, utensils, wooden and limestone miniature ships, clay models of animals and human figures, wooden statues and ivory masterpieces. It should also be noted that in the museum are kept bronze statuettes of the 7th and 8th century BC, derived from both African and Middle Eastern Countries (Armenia, Babylon, Assyria, Egypt), demonstrating the great impact of the sanctuary and attracting crowds of worshipers from all over the ancient world.
Some of the most important exhibits are:
A) The giant Kouros constructed during the 6th century BC, which is dedicated to goddess Hera, as it is documented in an ancient inscription carved on the statue. Its height is 5.50 meters and is one of the colossal Kouros that existed in the Sacred Road. Ispired by the Ionic art, it was discovered in 1980, during excavations at the archaeological site of Ireon.
B) The female statue of goddess Hera, also known as Hera of Chiramys, which was constructed in 570 to 560 BC and is identical to the one exhibited in the museum of Louvre.
C) The group of statues made by the sculptor Geneleos, which was constructed in the 6th century BC and was consisted of sex statues, one of which is housed in the museum of Berlin.
D) A small bronze statue of a man riding a horse with inlaid eyes (6th century BC)
E) A bronze pre-sternum of a horse bearing a picture of Hercules fighting the three-headed dog
F) An archaic clay Cairns of the 7th century, surrounded by small vessels and figurines.