It houses the most important and representative finds of the Minoan civilization.
The foundation of the first museum (1904-1912) is owed to the efforts of two Cretan archaeologists, Joseph Chatzidakis and Stephanos Xanthoudides, Ephors of the Archaeological Service. It housed the valuable finds from Crete until 1937, when the construction of the modern, antiseismic building was begun. Thanks to the efforts of Prof. Nicolaos Platon, the treasures of the museum survived during World War II, although the building was seriously damaged.The task of rearranging the exhibition was undertaken by Prof. N. Platon in 1951, and in 1952 the finds were again on display. In 1964 a new wing was added and the arrangement of the exhibits was completed by the Director, St. Alexiou. Thus the museum today has twenty rooms in all, containing artefacts from the palaces, houses, tombs and caves in Crete.

The exhibiton of the museum is organized in chronological order, ranging from the Neolithic period to the Roman era (4th century A.D.) and geographically, according to the provenance of the finds.

There are, though, several groups of finds exhibited in separate rooms:

1. All the LM III sarcophagi are displayed in room XIII, the Minoan frescoes in rooms XIV-XVI and the sculptures (reliefs, statues and architectural parts) in rooms XIX-XX.
2. The St. Giamalakis collection which was bought by the Greek State in 1962 is now on display in room XVII.
3. A collection of inscriptions is exhibited in a fenced, sheltered open space opposite the museum.
4. The archaeological collection of Archanes.
5. The "Glyptotheke" of Gortyn, which is exhibited at the archaeological site of Gortyn.

The most important items of the exhibition are:

The "Snake Goddesses". Faience figurines of the so-called "Snake-Goddess", from the Palace of Knossos. Typical features of these religious figurines are the upraised or stretched arms wielding the crawling snakes, the thin-waisted bodice which left the breasts bare, and the characteristic, flounced skirt with the apron. They are outstanding specimens of Minoan miniature sculpture, dated to the MM III-LM IA period (17th-16th centuries B.C.). Inv.no. 63 and 65.

Rock-crystal rhyton. Exquisite small rhyton (libation vessel) from the Palace of Zakros. The body is carved from a large block of rock-crystal and the handle is made of crystal beads threaded on a bronze wire. This unique vessel was restored from hundreds of small fragments. Dated to the MM III-LM IB period (17th-15th centuries B.C.). Inv.no. 2721.

Rhyton in the shape of a bull's head. Libation vessel carved from a block of black steatite in the shape of a bull's head. The details of the head are incised, the eyes are inlaid with rock-crystal and jasper, the muzzle is inlaid with white shell (mother-of-pearl) and the horns, now restored, were made of gilded wood. It is an outstanding example of the skill of the Minoan lapidaries, found in the Little Palace at Knossos. Dated to the MM III-LM IB period (17th-15th centuries B.C.). Inv.no. 1368.

The Phaistos Disk. Clay disk found at the Palace of Phaistos. On both sides 242 signs have been impressed with sealstones, running in a spiral form starting from the edge towards the centre. The signs belong to an ideographic and probably syllabic script, which has not yet been deciphered despite the numerous attempts over the years. The exact date of the disk is also questionable, but it probably dates from the MM IIB period (17th century B.C.). Inv. no. EP 1358.

The "Bull-leaping" fresco. Fresco found at the Palace of Knossos, with a representation of the bull-leaping, a kind of contest, probably religious in character, in which both men and women took part. A man is shown jumping over the back of a bull with a female figure on each side. Dated to the MM III-LM IB period (17th-15th centuries B.C.). Inv.no. T 15.

Gold ring from Isopata. Gold signet ring found in a tomb at Isopata, in the vicinity of Knossos. On the bezel is a representation of women in ecstatic ritual dance, in a meadow with lilies. The smaller figure is considered to be a goddess descending from the sky. On the ground, the signs of an eye and snakes can also be seen. It is a true masterpiece of Minoan goldwork, dated to the LM II period (15th century B.C.). Inv.no. X 424.

Fruitstand of the "Kamares Style". Clay fruitstand from the Palace at Phaistos. It is decorated with painted, multi-coloured, spiral patterns and the rim is adorned with a toothed fringe. It is a wonderful example of the "Kamares Style", dated to the MM IIB period (18th-17th century B.C.). Inv.no. 10580.

Clay model of a shrine from the Giamalakis Collection. Unique terracotta model of a circular shrine, found at Archanes. The opening was closed by a detachable door. Inside the shrine there is a seated female figure with raised arms, possibly a goddess. Two human figures on the roof, perhaps representing worshipers, watch the goddess through the lightwell, while a dog lies near the edge. Dated to the Proto-geometric period (10th-9th century B.C.). Inv.no. G.C. 376.

Bronze statuettes. Three statuettes made of hammered bronze sheets (sphyrelata), from the Temple of Apollo Delphinios at Dreros. They probably depict Apollo, his sister Artemis and their mother, Leto. They are exceptional pieces of bronzework as this is the first known case that hammering is applied to statues. Dated to the end of the 8th century B.C. Inv.no. 245-247.

Statue of Aphrodite. Marble statue from Gortyn, representing goddess Aphrodite kneeling in her bath. It is a Roman copy of a Hellenistic original by the sculptor Doidalsas. Dated to the 1st century B.C. Inv.no. G 43.

Casts of antiquities are available at the Archaeological Receipts Fund shop, next to the bar. Post-cards and slides are on sale inside the Museum.

From 21.11.1999 until 21.09.2000 the museum houses the temporary exhibition "Crete-Egypt: Three Millennia of Cultural Interactions".