The new building of the Archaeological Museum of Macedonia, which formally opened late on Saturday, includes more than 6,000 artifacts, using the most contemporary museum technology, specific lighting and ambient music presenting the authentic centennial history and culture at the territory of the Republic of Macedonia.

Prime Minister Nikola Gruevski said archeology has been neglected in Macedonia for too long, the National Archaeological Museum was only a department within the Museum of Macedonia, whereas a number of sites were entirely stagnating. The current authorities invested in capital research and engaged many Macedonian and foreign archaeologists, contributing to the excavation of hundreds of thousands of valuable artifacts.

"All these artifacts are part of our cultural heritage, which is an expression of specific traditions, knowledge and values of past generations. This enables better understanding of history and represents a collective memory of society where new generations can learn from. Our generation had the honor to conserve and present this heritage to the entire world", said PM Gruevski.

He stressed the Museum would represent a fresh offer in the country's tourism sector.

"This cultural heritage represents one of the foundations of sustainable development and can represent a useful instrument in the stimulation of inter-cultural dialogue and social cohesion, as well as modeling of our identity as a nation and state", said Gruevski.

Culture Minister Elizabeta Kanceska-Milevska said the museum would enable interaction between the past and presence archaeology and cultural identity of the Macedonian people.

"The modern way of presentation will give the opportunity to people to deeply perceive the rich cultural legacy of Macedonia and learn more about the country's cultural past", she emphasized.

More than 6,000 artifacts from all historic periods, beginning from prehistoric times up to the Middle Ages will be displayed at 6,000m2 on three floors.

The Museum is divided in several departments - prehistoric archaeology, antique and medieval archaeology, numismatic cabinet, lapidarium, anthropological display etc. Moreover, it includes 15 wax figures, 83 paintings, video-animations, ambience displays, mosaics, reconstruction of neolith buildings.