Timeline

Key figures

Origin and history

The Museum of Prehistory was founded in 1936 by the Association of Friends of the Old Saint Antonin, before becoming a municipal institution in 1977. Its collections have been enriched by local archaeological excavations and donations from the inhabitants, covering a period from the Paleolithic to the Iron Age, as well as ethnological objects of the 19th century. These artifacts illustrate the evolution of human occupation in the region and its exchanges with other territories over 13,000 years, providing material evidence of past lifestyles and activities.

The museum is housed in a Romanesque house built between 1150 and 1155 for Pons de Graulhet, viguier des vicomtes de Saint-Antonin. This historic building initially served as a vicomtal justice room (aula), as evidenced by its sculpted skeleton depicting symbolic scenes, including Emperor Justinian and Adam and Eve. In 1313 he became the consular house until the Revolution. Restored in the 19th century by Viollet-le-Duc, the house was equipped with a Tuscan-inspired tower, marking its architectural evolution.

The museum is now labeled Musée de France and is located in Place de la Halle in Saint-Antonin-Noble-Val, in the Tarn-et-Garonne (Occitanie). Its interest lies as much in its archaeological collections as in the building itself, classified among the historical monuments associated with the former town hall. However, the accuracy of its geographical location is considered poor (note 5/10), depending on available sources.

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