The Tomb of the Diver is an exceptional painted tomb from the Greek colony of Paestum in southern Italy . It dates to around 500–475 BC and is currently the only tomb with figurative scenes known from a Greek city dating to before the fourth century BC. The paintings are carried out in fresco-technique [1] on a layer of white plaster inside of a stone sarcophagus made of travertine slabs (1.93×0.96×0.79 m). On the lateral slabs, a Greek banquet (symposion) is depicted, while the downside of the lid shows a young man diving into the sea.

The archaeometric data showed that the Tomb of the Diver could be traced back to a local artisanal tradition and therefore is neither Etruscan nor Greek, but the first and foremost an expression of the local elite culture of Paestum.

Located at the mouth of the Sele river, ca. 10 km north of Paestum, the Heraion was a small sanctuary with a temple of Hera, two monumental altars, a treasury, and surrounding stoas.

The museum displays some of the metopes (sculpted panels) that originally adorned the temple's frieze. Approximately seventy metope reliefs carved in local sandstone have been recovered during excavations. These metopes depict various mythological scenes, including the labors of Hercules and the battle between the Lapiths and Centaurs. The metopes are exquisite examples of ancient Greek sculpture and highlight the artistic skill of the time.

Fragment of a fresco depicting boxers and gladiators from Tomb III, known as the Tomb of the Boxers and the Gladiators, Necropolis of Andriuolo-Laghetto, Paestum, Italy. Italic civilisation, 5th-4th century BC.

The museum houses a collection of red-figure vases, which were highly popular in ancient Greek pottery. These vases feature black backgrounds with figures and scenes painted in red. They often depict mythological stories, daily life scenes, and athletic competitions. The Paestum Museum's collection includes several finely crafted red-figure vases that provide insights into ancient Greek society and artistic techniques.

The museum displays a collection of gold jewelry discovered in the tombs of Paestum. These intricate and finely crafted pieces include earrings, necklaces, bracelets, and rings. The jewelry showcases the skill of ancient goldsmiths and offers a glimpse into the wealth and status of the individuals buried with these precious items.

The museum also exhibits various architectural fragments from the temples and buildings of Paestum. These fragments include decorative elements such as friezes, cornices, and capitals. They demonstrate the architectural style and ornamentation of the ancient Greek and Roman structures in Paestum.