This is a journey across the "Museums of Evolution" to discover life in all its forms: human beings, animals and the environment.
All the Collections we are going to visit are in the same historic building, at via Selmi 3, Bologna.
Our journey begins at the Zoological Collection, which is located on the ground floor and first floor of the museum’s building. In terms of value and exhibiting area, it is one of the most important collections of its kind in Italy. Founded in 1860, it has been located in this building since 1936. It displays materials coming from collections dating back to the 19th and 20th centuries, such as game trophies – most of them from Africa – and two great dioramas of Italian environments: the National Park of Abruzzo and the Gran Paradiso National Park. You will be amazed by the variety of fascinating animal species on display.
On the third floor of the building a sperm whale will welcome you at the Comparative Anatomy Collection. Here the exhibition of skeletons and preparations will allow you to learn how different anatomical parts of vertebrates have evolved across the centuries. Limbs have changed to perform different activities – running, flying, digging, jumping or swimming. The mouth has acquired teeth to hunt or chew, or beaks to peck. The skull has evolved from anthropomorphic monkeys to human beings.
Human beings are at the centre of the fourth and last stage of the tour, which will take you to the Anthropological Collection. You will find out how we evolved both from a biological and cultural perspective, from Australopithecus to Homo Sapiens. Many skeletons and artifacts will show you how human beings have been able to adapt to different types of environment: savannas and forests, high-altitude environments, cold and warm environments, and finally towns.
Collections included in the tour:
Zoological Collection, via Selmi 3, Bologna
Comparative Anatomy Collection, via Selmi 3, Bologna
Anthropological Collection, via Selmi 3, Bologna