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Heritage classified

Key figures

Origin and history

The Museum of Pre-Columbian Archaeology and Prehistory of Martinique, housed in a former 19th-century military service in Fort-de-France, traces the history of the Amerindian peoples of the island. Its collections, composed of more than 2,000 objects, come mainly from the archaeological sites of Vivé, Fonds Brûlé, Dizac and Paquemar. The exhibits, such as the cuckoo vases, engraved cups and adornos, illustrate the daily life and cultural practices of the Arawaks and the Caribbean, making this museum one of the richest in the Caribbean in pre-Columbian archaeology.

The Martinicae archaeology, a recent discipline, developed thanks to pioneers such as J-B Delawarde, E. Revet and R. Pinchon, who established a first chronology of local prehistory between 1930 and 1960. Their work, supplemented by the work of J. Petitjean-Rojet, M. Mattioni and the Regional Archaeology Service, allowed to refine the knowledge on the Amerindian civilizations of the island, covering a period from -2000 to about 1660. The museum highlights various aspects, ranging from decorative arts (ceramic) to ethnology (habitat, tools, religious practices).

Ranked as Musée de France and located at 9 rue de la Liberté, this place plays a key role in the preservation and enhancement of the Martinican Indian heritage. Its exact address, confirmed by the Museofile database and GPS coordinates, makes it a reference point for researchers and the public. Although the accuracy of its location is considered passable (note of 5/10), its historical and scientific interest remains major, thanks in particular to its exceptional collection of dodornos and objects related to collective rituals.

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