The finds from the early excavations in Ephesus are mainly divided among the museums of Istanbul, Izmir, Vienna and London. In 1929, a depot was erected in Ephesus. This formed the basis for the museum which was greatly extended in 1964 and 1976. The rapidly expanding collection at the Selcuk museum consists of some 50,000 objects. All ages, beginning with the fourth millenium B.C. are represented, but there is an emphasis on Classical antiquity through the Middle Ages. The museum is divided into two departments: the archaeological department and the ethnographic section set up in an arasta (arcade). The museum consists of six exhibition rooms and a courtyard.
Room 1 (Room of the hill-side houses): This room, newly laid out in 1994, mainly displays furnishings, elements of the artistic decoration (sculptures and wall paintings) and small finds from the hill-side houses on Curetes Street. The exhibits in this room include a figure of the Boy on a Dolphin, a head of Eros, a head of Socrates and several effigies of Priapus, the phallic god.
Room 2 (Room of the Fountains): The main exhibits in this room are the statues from the façades of the fountain of Pollio and the Fountain of Trajan, statues of the river-god Triton and a number of busts.
Room 3 (Room of the antique coins): On display in this room since 1998 are mainly the new and unpublished finds of the French excavations in Claros, the famous sanctuary of Apollo, some 20 km. northwest of Ephesus. In addition, there is a display case with lamps from Ephesus and another showing coins and gold objects (i.g. diadems) found in graves at various locations in western Asia Minor. The ivory frieze from Terrace House 2 is another masterpiece of fine art.
Inner Courtyard: Especially noteworthy in this section are pieces of the hellenistic Belevi Mausoleum, the archaic “Kouros of Pamucak”, the inscription with the early imperial customs law of the province of Asia, a collection of capitals and a selection of reliefs.
Room 4 (Room of the grave finds): This room mainly houses finds from graves in Ephesus and its surroundings, together with items consecrated to Cybele.
Room 5 (Room of Artemis): The unique statues of Artemis and finds from the Artemision are displayed in this room, in addition to finds that have some connection with the temple and cult of Artemis.
Room 6 (Imperial cult room): This room combines excellent examples of Ephesian portraiture from Augustan to Justinianic times with relief friezes from important monuments.