Created in April 2000 and renewed in 2003, 2006 and 2011, the Archaeology Center is located inside the Castle of the village, where they are patents exhibit the archaeological heritage of Alcoutim municipality, whose thread a historic route thatIt began more than 5,000 years. Local and impregnated with an ancient memory seek to convey cultures and knowledge that a ride about faraway, cross the territory that is now Alcoutim.

The Archaeological Center has two long-term exhibitions, “The Alcoutim Archaeological Heritage" and "Timeless Games - Board and Alcoutim Old Castle Throwing stone".

The exhibition "Alcoutim Archaeological Heritage" was presented on 15th of April 2000 and renewed in 2003, 2006 and 2011. Its guiding it´s an historical journey that began more than 5000 years ago. Impregnated objects of an ancient memory try to transmit cultures and knowledge that now cross the territory of Alcoutim.

The long-term exhibition called "Timeless Games - Board and Alcoutim Old Castle Throwing stones" was presented on 20th of November 2005. The intent was to publicize the collection of games from the archaeological excavations carried out since 1985 in the Old Castle by Dr. Helena Catarin. The collection consists of thirty-nine boards, complete and fragmented, and eighteen small game stones. Engraved in schist slabs these boards belong to six different types: Alquerque, Tábula, Moinho or Trilha, Tapatan or Galo, Mancala and the Game of the Soldier. To point out that this collection includes the largest set and typologies of Islamic era board games from a single archaeological site and there are the only known copies of Mancala III in Portugal.

This archaeological potential structure was based on the choice of significant historical periods in archaeological research, carried out in  the past decades in Alcoutim, and covers the Neolithic to the Early Modern Period.

These  visitable archaeological heritage enhancement projects, as Menires do Lavajo (Lavajo Menhirs) and Ruínas (Arecheological Ruins) of Montinho das Laranjeiras , are complements to this small museum and contribute, as an asset, in raising awareness about the promotion of the municipality cultural heritage.

Additional information:

ENTRANCE: Admission ticket allows to visit all museum spaces in Alcoutim - Casa do Ferreiro, Museum Centre of Sacred Art (Alcoutim), Castle Village (Alcoutim) with both exhibitions of the Archaeology Centre, Museum Centre "Elementary  School"(Santa Justa), Museum Centre Dr. João Dias (Alcoutim) and River Museum (Guerreiros do Rio) for a week, except for groups.

Regular ticket - € 2.50;

Youth Card holders and people over 65 - € 1.50.

Groups - € 1.50

Exemptions: National Guides duly accredited; Staff and Councillors of the CMA (Alcoutim Municipality); members of the Municipal Assembly; Children under the age of 14; Alcoutim residents; promoted visits by the CMA; People or groups invited by the CMA; People with disabilities or reduced mobility; school groups, when requested in advance.