The island's archaeological importance is highlighted through museums and archaeological collections. The Archaeological Museum of Heraklion houses the most important findings of the Minoan civilization. Treasures dating back from the Neolithic to the Roman Era can also be viewed in the archaeological museum of Chania, Rethymnon, Sitia, Kissamos, Ierapetra and Archanes. The new museums of Messara and Ancient Eleftherna are in operation, while the museum of Agios Nikolaos is under maintenance. Important local archaeological Collections operate at in Myrtos and Gazi.
- 1
- 2
Archaeological Collection of Myrtos 
The Archaeological and Folklore Collection of Myrtos operates since 2001 and hosts mainly the collection of George Dimitrianakis. The archaeological exhibition includes some of the findings of the archaeological sites of Pirgos, Fournou Korifi, but also some other places of the region.
The archaeological collection of Ierapetra began to be formed in the late 19th century, when its antiquities-loving residents founded the Educational Association of Ierapetra, whose purpose was to gather and preserve the region’s antiquities, as well as to create a museum collection.
The archaeological Museum of Kissamos was founded in 2005 and is housed in the Venetian - Turkish monument known as Diikitirio ("Headquarters"). Its exhibits provide a longitudinal picture of the region's history from prehistory to late antiquity, i.e. the early Christian Times.
- 1
- 2
