Oaxaca - Museo Regional de Oaxaca

The Museo Regional de Oaxaca (state-owned regional museum) is housed in the neighbouring convent to Iglesia de Santa Domingo. Archaeological and ethnological collections of Indian culture, as well as ecclesiastical and secular exhibits from the colonial period, are displayed on two floors.

The ethnological collection includes costumes, masks, jewellery, ceremonial and household implements belonging to the different Indian tribes from the region, together with archaeological finds from the surrounding Zapotec and Mixtec ruins; photographs, charts and maps complete the exhibition.

The highlight of the archaeological exhibition is the Mixtec treasure trove of gold, jade, turquoise and other semi-precious stones found in 1932 in Tomb 7 at Monte Albán. Elaborate bracelets, necklaces, earrings, breast plates, masks, etc. were produced from these materials. Historical documents and ecclesiastical and secular items from the church and the convent, including an old Spanish kitchen, are to be found here.