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The
collection of antiquities that has existed since the museum’s founding in 1833
was limited at first mainly to Roman objects and the important salt mine
materials found in Hallstatt. Of the continuous series of domestic researcher
personalities that cared for the culturally important archaeological
inheritances in Upper Austria, not until 1933 could an antiquity scientist in
Dr. F. Stroh be employed at the Provincial Museum. After his retirement the
collection was divided into the departments “Roman Times” (L. Eckhart) and
“Early History” (J. Reitinger).
At the
same time the department “Burial Place Archaeology and Anthropology" (Ä. Kloiber) was created. In 1985 the latter two were combined into
the department “Ancient and Early History” (M. Pertlwieser) and moved to
Wegscheid.
With
the latest move to the Welserstr. location in mid 2002, the department has found
its final home.
The
collection contains predominantly Upper Austrian ancient and early history
material from its own excavations and emergency salvages and from collections of
the public (individual finds and larger collections that were put at the
disposal of the museum).
Chronologically
the range from the Palaeolithic and the Neolithic to the Bronze and Iron ages up
to the early Middle Ages is covered.
Besides
material from archaeological finds the collection also contains anthropological
and archaeo-zoological material.
Ancient
and early history materials according to place of discovery from graves,
settlements and depots, and individual objects.
Material
categories
Stone
(axes, arrowheads, etc.), clay (containers, weavers’ weights, etc.), metal
(mainly copper, bronze, iron; e.g. swords, knives, brooches, needles), amber,
lignite, etc.; human and animal bone material.
Archive
Discovery
place records, excavation documentation, photos, slides, etc.
Restoration
Metal | 
