The most striking item in this museum is the huge Romano-Byzantine mosaic found at nearby Kara Samsun (Amisos). It depicts Thetis and Achilles from the Trojan War and the four seasons alongside sea monsters and nymphs. Other highlights include elegant gold jewellery dating from the 1st century BC – the time of the legendary Pontic King Mithridates VI. The museum is at the entrance to the Samsun Fairgrounds and just west of the landmark pink valilik (provincial government headquarters) building.
