Historical Artifacts: Over 1,000 items are on display at Mon Cultural Museum

The Department of Archaeology and National Museum under the Ministry of Religious Affairs and Culture is implementing for the preservation of tangible and intangible heritage as well as displays of National Museums and Cultural Museums in Regions and States.

The Cultural Museum (Mawlamyine) is one of the facilities that has been supervised by the department.

This museum was first established on 1st February 1955 at one storey building with the displays of over 500 items of Mon, Kayin, Bamar and Pa-O ethnic historical artifacts. It was upgraded to the three-storey building to exhibit more artifacts from stone age, colonial-era and present era.

Deputy Director, Cultural Museum (Mawlamyine), Zaw Han said "15 booths are exhibited on the ground floor. At the entrance, there can be seen the display of Myanmar history, Mon State Geographical condition, ancient Mon City and ancient places, Mon traditions, vocational industries, art and craft, Mon literature and famous monk - Shin Arahan, Mon music instruments and Mon famous persons. On the first floor, there will be ancient furniture and sculpture, Mon intangible culture, Buddha images and so on. The top floor is used as a storeroom. The colonial-era cannon, bronze gong, and other interesting artifacts are also on display in the compound."

More than 1000 items collected artifact such as Buddha images, handiworks, historical evidence, tangible and intangible cultural assets, as well as ethnic traditions and culture, and vocational industries of locals are on display.

Deputy Director, Cultural Museum (Mawlamyine), Zaw Han said "About 1,040 items are being displayed at the museum. There are also additional 2,228 items that have been kept in the store. We also put on display these stored items to the public occasionally."

It is learnt that the museum also accepts the ancient artifacts, donated by the public, and offers cash and certificate of honor to the donors.

According to the Department of Archaeology and National Museum, over 2,700 gold wears, over 670 silver wears, over 300 bronze wears and over 4,200 artifacts, have been accepted so far, and more than 392 million kyats cash prizes were presented to the contributors.