Summer POLICORO- MATERA:

Policoro, Matera, Basilicata

The National Archaeological Museum of Siritide is an archaeological museum located within the archaeological site of Heraclea (Herakleia), near Policoro in the province of Matera. Since December 2014, the museum has been managed by the Basilicata Museum Complex (*Polo museale della Basilicata*).

Inaugurated in 1969, it displays artifacts found at Heraclea, arranged in a chronological sequence spanning from the Neolithic period to the Roman era.

The first section is dedicated to Neolithic finds—originating from the caves of Latronico and other local areas—which include red-banded pottery dating back to the 6th–3rd millennia BC.

The second section focuses on the Bronze Age; highlights include the grave goods from a 2000 BC tomb discovered at Tursi and Mycenaean pottery dating to 1200 BC. Other artifacts come from excavations around the ancient Magna Graecia colony of Siris, featuring remains from the Archaic temple and necropolis, such as votive statuettes, decorative elements, bas-reliefs, and helmets.

The third section is entirely dedicated to the city of Heraclea. Exhibits include votive statuettes, bronze plaques, Magna Graecia and Roman coins, pottery molds, kraters, cups, and vases, as well as a roller mold used to decorate vessels found in domestic courtyards.

The fourth section houses artifacts from the necropolises of Magna Graecia; a standout feature is the “Tomb of Policoro,” which contains numerous large red-figure vases depicting mythological scenes.

The fifth and final section is dedicated to the Oenotrian and Lucanian peoples who settled along the Agri and Sinni rivers. The artifacts come from the grave goods of the necropolises at Anglona, ​​Chiaromonte, Tursi, Armento, and Aliano—including the burial assemblage of a princess and approximately one thousand tombs dating back to the 7th–6th centuries BC.

Note: On Tuesdays, open only from 2:00 PM to 7:00 PM.