The Department of Prehistoric archaeology is comprised of five complex collections that chronologically cover the largest period of human existence. The archaeological artefacts are manufactured from various materials and provide us with an image of the progress and allow us to follow the prehistoric cultures on the territory of North Macedonia during a time span of 7.000 years, i.e. from the Neolithic until the Iron Age. The oldest traces of human life are traced in the material remains from the Paleolithic collection that correspond to the Late Middle Paleolithic, 50.000 BC.
A special place among the material culture from the department is held by the Neolithic pottery, which flourished during the developed Neolithic. The attitude of the Neolithic and Eneolithic population in the realm of belief and spiritual heritage is presented through numerous cult objects, altars with zoomorphic and anthropomorphic depictions, figurines etc. The artefacts belonging to the Bronze Age collection point to the turmoil in the 2 millennium BC that left strong evidence in the material culture.
Of exceptional importance are the studies and investigations in this department that are referred to the Paionian communities, where the objects belonging to the so-called “Macedonian- Paionian bronzes” group are specially highlighted. They are distinguished by a particular artistic expression and represent specific and original objects that are of great importance to the Iron Age culture in North Macedonia.