The vast majority of the museum’s collection consists of artefacts recovered during archaeological excavations. A small but significant part of these collections consists of items from chance finds and the legacy of former German museums. Numismatic items form a separate category. This category currently comprises over 12,000 coins.

Alongside a vast quantity of pottery and jewellery from various prehistoric periods, the MAŚN houses military artefacts from the period of Roman influence and the Middle Ages. A separate category is formed by the so-called ‘special collections’. These include items associated with Professor Józef Kostrzewski and a collection of artefacts from pre-Columbian America.

RULES FOR USING THE COLLECTIONS OF THE ARCHAEOLOGICAL MUSEUM OF THE MIDDLE ELBE – INFORMATION FOR STUDENTS,
POSTGRADUATE STUDENTS AND ARCHAEOLOGISTS

1. To access the collections of the Archaeological Museum of the Middle Odra Region in Zielona Góra, based in Świdnica (hereinafter referred to as the Museum), a written request must be submitted to the Museum Director asking for access to specific artefacts or a collection of artefacts, specifying the name of the town and district/municipality, the site number, year of excavation and the object number(s). The letter should include the endorsement of the supervisor (in the case of Master’s and PhD students) or academic mentor. Researchers are required to state the purpose for which the materials will be used (research papers, publications, grants, queries, etc.).
2. It is possible to obtain preliminary information by email (e.przechrzta@muzeum swidnica.org), but the search procedure begins upon receipt of a hard copy of the letter bearing the relevant stamps (of the university or the archaeologist’s place of work) and the signatures of the director of the relevant university’s institute and the supervisor of the Master’s/PhD thesis, or the director of the institution where the archaeologist works.
3. The Museum does not carry out searches, but merely makes the specified artefacts or groups of artefacts available for inspection.
4. Information regarding the artefacts or groups sought will be sent to the interested party within 3 weeks of the date of submission of the official letter.
5. Once a positive response has been received, a date and location must be agreed upon for the artefacts to be made available. Individual artefacts, known as ‘separated’ items, are made available at the Museum’s premises, whilst bulk materials can be viewed at the Archaeological Station in Wicin (from mid-April to mid-October).
6. The Museum makes published materials available. Use of unpublished materials is possible upon obtaining written consent from the author of the research or the Museum Director (following the death of the researcher).
7. The Museum makes artefacts available at its headquarters in Świdnica between 8.30 am and 3.30 pm, whilst access to materials held at the Archaeological Station in Wicin requires individual arrangements regarding visiting times.
8. When using the materials, particularly for publication (including both information and photographs or drawings of artefacts), it is required to state that they originate from the Museum’s collections and have been entered into the Catalogue or Inventory Register under the relevant number.
9. The Museum does not provide accommodation at its premises in Świdnica. It is possible to stay overnight at the Archaeological Station in Wicina (by prior arrangement).