It all began on March 17, 1954, when the Anonima Materiali Argillosi notified the Superintendence of Antiquities of Abruzzo and Molise of the discovery of a fossil elephant in its quarry. This unpublished document, found in the SABAP archive for the provinces of L’Aquila and Teramo, requires a revision of the date of discovery of the mammoth skeleton by kiln workers. Drilling for water less than a meter deep, beneath a layer of clay and a layer of sand, they discovered the first remains. Marking the 70th anniversary of its discovery, the National Museum of Abruzzo will promote a series of initiatives throughout 2024, distinguished by a logo specially designed by Francesca Condò.
A small documentary exhibition retraces the stages of the fossil’s discovery, from excavation to recovery and display in the eastern bastion, through the “voices” of those involved.
The National Museum of Abruzzo has been awarded the 2023 Regional Fossil Prize by the regional committee of the Italian Paleontological Society, an initiative aimed at promoting the dissemination and understanding of the richness of Italy’s paleontological heritage.
The visit will be made more dynamic thanks to AR core technology, which allows visitors to view the mammoth in its fascinating life form.
In collaboration with the Academy of Fine Arts of L’Aquila, 3D prototypes of the mammoth and its skull will be created to make the hall in the east bastion of the 16th-century castle accessible to the blind.
A dedicated postmark will be available for stamp collectors later this year, making the 70th anniversary celebrations even more special.
A nationally important scientific conference entitled “The Castle Mammoth – Seventy Years Since Its Discovery. New Data in the Context of Pleistocene Environmental Evolution” will be held in the autumn months. The conference will present the findings acquired on the specimen through new investigation methodologies and its recent restoration.
Opening hours:
From July 9th to September 4th, open every weekend, 10:00 am to 7:00 pm.
From August 15th to 21st, open every day, 10:00 am to 7:00 pm.
From August 22nd to 28th, open every day, 10:00 am to 11:00 pm.
One admission every half hour, last admission half an hour before closing.
