The Sanchi Archaeological Museum sits at the foot of the hill, near the main entrance to the site. It houses sculptures, relic caskets, and architectural fragments excavated from Sanchi and the surrounding area, including pieces removed from the monuments for preservation. Visiting the museum before climbing the hill provides useful context: you see the scale and quality of the objects up close before viewing them in situ.
The collection spans the entire period of Sanchi's occupation, from the Ashokan pillar capitals (3rd century BC) through Gupta-period terracottas (4th–6th century AD) to late medieval figures. The Ashokan pillar capital is the highlight. The museum is compact and well-labelled; a visit of 45–60 minutes covers it thoroughly. Open daily except Fridays.