travel.mapsofworld.com provides information on National Archaeological Museum of Spain, Madrid

In Spanish language they call this museum as Museo Arqueologico Nacional which is a home for many prehistoric things. In the year 1867, a Royal Decree of Isabella II founded the museum. It houses the exhibits from the Spanish monarchy. The building of the museum was constructed by an architect named Francisco Jareno, and was started in the year 1866. The construction was going on till 1892. Because of the renovations, which were started in the year 1968, the area of the museum was increased.Currently the museum has got a collection of Pre-historic, Celtic, Iberian, Greek and Roman antiquities. It has got objects from medieval time (Visigothic, Muslim and Christian) also. This museum is a home for the exhibits of Renaissance times also. These exhibits are all brought from churches and monasteries.

The museum has some prehistoric cave paintings, which is a replica and features bison, horses and boars. These paintings were discovered in Altamira, Cantabria. This museum has got a Numismatic Department also.There is a 5th century BC bust of a wealthy Iberian woman, which is exhibited in the museum. The name of the bust is La Dama de Elche and one can see the headgear and combs, which are associated with traditional dress of Spain.An ancient 8th century Visigothic votive crowns are housed here, which were discovered in 1859. An exhibit called Choir Stall, which is the most photographed and is from the palace of Palencia, dates back to the 14th century.

There are many findings from Ibiza, Paestum, Rome and the Islamic collection is outstanding. The statues of Tiberius and Livia, the mother of Tiberius can be seen here.There are collections of lusterware; Talavera pottery and Retiro porcelain which belong to the Renaissance time. Andalusian glassware, which is a rare thing from 16th and 17th century, is also kept in this museum.

The other famous exhibits of the museum are: