The National Museum of Archaeology has a vast collection and was designed, by José Leite de Vasconcelos, to gather material elements that would contribute to the knowledge of the Portuguese people.

Throughout its history, it amassed a remarkable collection, encompassing different themes.

Besides, it also boasts some remarkable archaeological and ethnographic “comparative collections”, along with different legacies and donations.

However, the bulk of its holdings includes vast collections of Portuguese archaeology from the pre and protohistoric, Roman, Arab and medieval times.