Frankfurt's Historical Museum had an Archaeological Department from the end of the 19th Century, with collections of old indigenous and Classical artefacts. Divergence of responsibilities and lack of space led to the foundation of a separate Museum für heimische Vor- und Frühgeschichte (Museum of Indigenous Pre- and Early History) in 1937.

The Carmelite Church and Monastery (Karmeliterkirche and Karmeliterkloster) are among the few buildings remaining from mediaeval Frankfurt. Today, the late-gothic church structure, deconsecrated in the early 19th century,serves as exhibition space for the Archaeological Museum. The enchanting cloister along with the monastery's refectory and dormitory are jointly used by the Museum and the city's History Institute for cultural events.

The Archaeological Museum is dedicated to researching, presenting and informing about the prehistoric, roman, mediaeval and more recent archaeology of Frankfurt and its surrounding countryside.