The Archaeological Museum of Kos attractively informs visitors about the long and rich prehistory and history of the island of Kos from the 4th millennium B.C. to the 2nd – 3rd century A D., with objects obtained from the multiple excavations carried out by the Italian excavations and the Greek Archaeological Service in the island.
Ground Floor
The god Asclepius and doctor Hippocrates welcomed the visitors in the atrium of the museum, which took a Roman house as a model. Both are depicted on the famous mosaic floor of the so-called “House of Asclepius” (2nd – 3rd century A.D.). Hermes, Dionysus, Artemis, Hygeia, and Asclepius figures surround the Mosaic. Two female statues also represent the ladies who once lived in the elegant house. All of the statues came from a Roman villa known as the “House of the Rape of Europe.”
Ground Floor
Many statues are displayed in the west hall of the ground floor with a circular end. This hall houses masterpieces from the end of the 5th to the 1st century B.C. Among them, we can mention the statue of Hippocrates, the relief with the representation of the three Charites, female and male figures. The hall houses twenty-nine sculptures that show the development of sculpture in Kos and the island’s culture. Moreover, in the same hall stand impressive figures of men and women of the 2nd century BC. found in the Roman Odeum. The east niche has the dancing figure of Nike. The enormous seated statue of Demeter from Kephalos is exhibited on the east wall.
The circular section of the hall is dedicated to the Woman of Kos. It houses two large female figures from the Roman Odeum, dating to the end of the 2nd century B.C.,
Visitors can find rich offerings dedicated to several deities in the eastern hall. They were found in the numerous ancient sanctuaries of the island, and they were mainly for the goddess Demeter. One can also see the artifacts discovered in the sanctuaries of the ancient Agora, such as epigraphic testimonies, a calendar of sacrifice, sacred laws, and honorary resolutions.
First Floor
On the first floor, three halls are formed. In the western hall, the visitors will travel back to a distant time through selected personal items dating from the 4th millennium to the 5th century B.C. In the elongated case along the east wall of the hall, representative findings from the Early to the end of the Late Bronze Age, along with imports from Minoan Crete and the great Mycenaean centers, demonstrate the continuous occupation of the prehistoric settlement of Serayia (Serraglio), in the heart of today’s capital of the island, since the 3rd millennium until the c. 1100 BC—century B.C.
In other parts of the western hall, masterpieces of ceramic art, jewels, bronze weapons of the Mycenaean and Geometric periods, and objects for daily use of the Geometric period are presented. The island was prosperous due to traveling and commercial exchange with other Greek cities.
In the south room, which is divided into two large sections, aspects of private and public space are presented. Everyday life scenes emerge from the elongated showcase along the north wall of the hall, showing the interior of a Hellenistic house, with details of the table and coarse ware pottery, women and children daily use objects, weaving equipment for the famous Koan textiles and a banquet. Amphorae for the transportation of the favorite local wine, coins, and luxury glassware for the famous Koan perfumes are on display
In the eastern hall, finds from the ancient cemeteries show the island’s importance in prehistoric and historical periods. Several grave offerings from the middle 3rd millennium B.C. until early Roman times.