Missions

MCAH is often only recognized for its public side (exhibitions, lectures and pedagogical activities) but its main mission is to ensure the long-term conservation, restoration, inventory and study of the cantonal archaeological collections before they are shared with a wider audience. Since 1912, products of excavations have been recognized in Switzerland as the property of the cantons.

The museum is therefore responsible for the scientific and technical monitoring of all the archaeological finds in the Canton of Vaud, which are constantly increasing, from prehistory to modern times, apart from the objects that are conserved at the musée romain d'Avenches (Roman Museum in Avenches). The collections - excluding coins and medals - from three other major sites are held and displayed in three "recognized museums", after they are restored at the MCAH: at the musée romain de Lausanne-Vidy (Roman Museum in Lausanne-Vidy) for the Lousonna site, at the musée romain de Nyon (Roman Museum in Nyon) for the Colonia Julia Equestris and at the musée d'Yverdon et région (Museum of Yverdon and its region) for the Yverdon-les-Bains site.