The village of Aiani is 23 km from Kozani, about 370 km from Athens, and 190 km from Thessaloniki. Since 1983, systematic excavations in the area have brought to light finds that attest the existence of an organised city from the 2^nd millennium bc to 100 bc, when it was abandoned, probably after an earthquake. Important architectural members have been uncovered, together with groups of graves and organised cemeteries, dating from prehistoric times to the Late Hellenistic period. The existence of the city supports a new theory that organised cities were flourishing in Macedonia before Philip II unified the region.
 

The Archaeological Museum of Aiani is expected to open early in 2000, displaying only finds from Aiani and the surrounding area. The exhibition will cover three areas of interest: the historical development of Aiani from prehistoric times to the Roman period; the groups of finds from the city, the cemetery, and the wider area; and everyday life in antiquity as reflected in the archaeological finds. It will thus be possible to make a scientific presentation of the finds and preserve the educational aspect of the display.
 

The most important exhibits are a Mycenaean figurine in the shape of a head, a clay stand with matt-painted decoration and a number of vessels with matt-painted decoration from the 14^th century bc, a figurine of a kore from the 2^nd half of the 6^th century bc, bird-shaped clay vessels from the 6^th century bc, a gold funerary mouth-piece decorated with lions from the 2^nd half of the 6^th century bc, a gold fibula of the same period, a marble Ionic capital, a bronze figurine of a kore from the handle of a looking glass, a marble statue of a lion dating to the 5^th century bc, the head of a kore, and the head of a kouros.
 

The museum has designed the archaeology syllabus for junior and senior high school students, which is now being used in local schools in collaboration with the Aiani Museum.