Imagine holding a piece of pottery crafted millennia ago. That’s the kind of connection you can experience at the Museu de Arqueologia e Etnologia. This museum is one of Brazil’s most important centers for preserving archaeological and ethnographic memory.
The Museu de Arqueologia e Etnologia was created in 1989. It emerged from the archaeology and ethnology sectors of the Museu Paulista. Collections from the USP’s Institute of Pre-History were added. Also, collections came from the former museum of the FFLCH and the Pl\u00ednio Ayrosa Collection. The Museu de Arqueologia e Etnologia is located in the University City of S\u00e3o Paulo.
Inside the Museu de Arqueologia e Etnologia are over 150000 artifacts. These pieces were gathered through field collections and excavations. Purchases, exchanges, loans, and donations also contributed. This process began in the late 19th century. The archaeological collection covers the Mediterranean and the Middle East. It includes pre-Columbian America. It highlights pre-colonial Brazil. The ethnographic collection features African and Afro-Brazilian populations. Indigenous peoples from all regions of Brazil are represented. The Museu de Arqueologia e Etnologia also houses a vast library. It contains about 60000 volumes. These include books, catalogs, theses, periodicals, and rare works.
The Museu de Arqueologia e Etnologia offers extension courses. It provides optional subjects for undergraduate students. At the postgraduate level, it has an archeology program. Graduates can study pre-historic, historic and classical archeology. Research happens in offices, fields, and labs. This is in partnership with Brazilian and foreign institutions.
The Museu de Arqueologia e Etnologia maintains regional research centers. The M\u00e1rio Neme Center is in Piraju. The Museu Regional de Iguape is in the Ribeira Valley. These support field research with logistics and operations. It also partners with the Center for Archeology Biomes of the Amazon. This is in Iranduba with the State University of Amazonas.
Since 1993, the Museu de Arqueologia e Etnologia has been in a 4000 square meter building. It sits next to the University City Hall. The building was renovated to house the museum. It has conservation and restoration labs. There are research and photography facilities. An archive, a library, and educational areas are present. There are also exhibit spaces and technical reserves.
However, the space is not enough for the museum’s needs. Only about 1% of the collection is on permanent display. In 1999, USP proposed a large architectural complex. The complex was 120000 square meters. It was designed by architect Paulo Mendes da Rocha. It was called “Museum Square.” The Museu de Arqueologia e Etnologia, the Zoology Museum, and the Science Museum would move there. This project was not carried out. In 2010, the project restarted. It was based on an agreement to compensate for damage. An archeological site in Itaim Bibi was involved. The Federal Public Ministry, USP, IPHAN, and developers were responsible. Now, the future “Museum Park” is under construction. It covers 53000 square meters. Only the Museu de Arqueologia e Etnologia and the Zoology Museum are included.
The Museu de Arqueologia e Etnologia launched a program for special visitors. This is the Multisensory Archeology Kit. It includes a roundtable with experts. They are from S\u00e3o Paulo museum institutions. They already have projects for the visually impaired. The kit has tactile models. These represent archeological sites. They show archeologists’ work in the field and lab. Original objects from excavations are included. Audio information is also available. A support notebook in ink and braille is provided. It contains scientific text about Brazilian archeology.
The Museu de Arqueologia e Etnologia believes this is an enriching experience. It hopes to make knowledge accessible to everyone. It encourages collective discovery and construction of knowledge. The Museu de Arqueologia e Etnologia is located on Avenida Professor Almeida Prado. It is open Monday to Friday. Hours are 8 am to 5 pm.
As you leave the Museu de Arqueologia e Etnologia, consider the stories held within. Each artifact represents lives, cultures, and histories. They contribute to our understanding of humanity.