Lapidariums are often part of larger museums or can be stand-alone institutions, showcasing items outdoors or in open-air settings. Examples of renowned lapidariums include the National Museum’s Lapidarium in Prague, the Samharam Lapidarium in Oman, and the Memphite Lapidarium in Egypt. These institutions serve as important cultural repositories, preserving stone artifacts that have historical, artistic, or architectural significance

circa 135 CE

Library of Emperor Hadrian in Athens
The Lapidarium at the Library of Emperor Hadrian in Athens preserves and exhibits a collection of ancient stone monuments and architectural fragments found at the site. The library itself, built around 132 CE under Emperor Hadrian, was a vast public complex that included reading rooms, lecture halls, and a central courtyard. After suffering damage during later invasions, the site became a repository for various artifacts and stone inscriptions, which are now housed in the lapidarium.

The lapidarium at Hadrian’s Library showcases items such as ancient columns, inscriptions, and sculptures, offering insights into the classical and post-classical history of Athens. This collection not only preserves the artistic and architectural legacy of the site but also provides important historical context for understanding the cultural significance of Hadrian's patronage of Athens. The lapidarium, like many others, functions as a vital part of archaeological research and public education regarding stone artifacts.

circa 3000- BCE

Memphis Lapidarium
The Lapidarium at Memphis, Egypt, is a significant collection of ancient stone inscriptions and monuments from the city that once served as the capital of the Old Kingdom of Egypt. This site contains remnants from various periods, showcasing the artistic and architectural achievements of ancient Egyptian civilization. The lapidarium includes numerous artifacts, such as statues, reliefs, and inscriptions dedicated to various deities and rulers, reflecting the religious and cultural practices of the time. Memphis, founded around 3100 BCE, was pivotal in the development of ancient Egypt and housed major temples, including those dedicated to the god Ptah.

circa 3000- BCE

Karnak Open Air Museum
The lapidarium at the Karnak Open Air Museum, exhibits an extensive collection of stones, statue and inscription fragments. It is situated north of the main temple complex, in the northern corner of the enclosure wall.

circa 300 BCE - 500 CE

Sumhuram Archaeological Park Lapidarium
The Sumhuram Archaeological Park, located in Salalah, Oman, features a notable lapidarium that showcases various stone artifacts from the ancient city of Sumhuram (now an archaeological site). This city was an important port during the frankincense trade from around the 3rd century BCE to the 5th century CE, serving as a major trading hub with connections to India, China, and other regions. Inside the lapidarium, visitors can find a variety of stone objects of archaeological significance, including a water basin, mortars, and other items related to daily life in ancient Sumhuram​. The park itself offers rich insights into the culture and history of the area, and it is a UNESCO World Heritage Site

circa 300 BCE - 500 CE

Caelian Hill Archaeological Park
The lapidarium of the Parco Archeologico del Celio presents a curated assemblage of architectural and epigraphic fragments—ranging from column drums, capitals, cornices, and pediments to funerary stelae, honorary bases, and dedicatory inscriptions—mostly dating to the Roman Imperial period. Displayed in an open-air and partially covered setting, the collection emphasizes typological and stylistic analysis over aesthetic display, serving as a research-oriented resource for understanding Roman construction techniques, urban spoliation practices, and material reuse. Many of the inscribed pieces bear evidence of reworking, secondary use, or erasure, offering insight into the evolving life of Roman monuments. Closely integrated with the adjacent Forma Urbis Romae Museum, the lapidarium bridges physical fragments and historical topography, anchoring archaeological interpretation in material evidence.

circa

Troy Lapidaria
The lapidaria at the archaeological site of anceint Troy comprise several open-air displays of architectural and functional stonework, ceramics, and statuary recovered from the site of ancient Troy and its surroundings. These collections include monumental columns and capitals from public buildings, inscribed stone blocks, sculptural fragments, large storage vessels (pithoi), terracotta water pipes, and grain-grinding equipment. The pithoi, often as tall as a person and with thick walls, were used for storing commodities such as olive oil, wine, and grain, sometimes half-buried for stability, and occasionally repurposed for wells or burials. Terracotta pipes, corresponding to descriptions by the Roman architect Vitruvius, demonstrate the city’s hydraulic infrastructure and are displayed alongside stone distribution joints. Grinding stones and mortars illustrate the processing of grain from the Neolithic through the Classical periods, a labor-intensive task once carried out by hand. Together, these lapidaria offer a tangible cross-section of Troy’s domestic, industrial, and monumental material culture across its many phases of occupation.