Museo Civico di Archeologia Ligure

This museum was opened in 1954, and is housed in the 19th century Villa Durazzo Pallavicini. It is surrounded by one of the most beautiful, historical, Genoese gardens, and contains archeological finds dating from the Paleolithic period to Roman times, all from excavations in Liguria. The finds are exhibited throughout 23 rooms on 2 floors, and include prehistoric materials found in various Ligurian caves. Pre-Roman grave goods from Genoa, and objects from important Roman cities, as well as the eclectic collection of the Prince Odone of Savoy which includes Greek vases, bronzes, ceramics, and glass are displayed. The Paleolithic burials are of particular importance - they are the richest and best preserved in Europe, and include the burial from the Arene Candide caves which has been attributed to a prince because of the magnificence of the goods found in a cave near Finale, and dating back to more around 20,000 years ago. You should also see the famous Polcevera bronze table which carries a sentence issued by the Roman Senate in 117 B.C. - it is believed to be the first legal act in Liguria.