FossilHunter.info Posted December 9, 2010 Share Posted December 9, 2010 MUSEU MAMUT Carrer Montcada, Barcellona Spain Walking in the beautiful Gothic barrio (Gothic Quarter) in Barcelona, along the road leading to the museum dedicated to the famous painter Pablo Picasso, Carrer Montcada, there is a small but interesting museum dedicated exclusively to the Quaternary and in particular to the large mammals that lived during Ice Age. The cost of the ticket is extremely low....and even the difficulties of communication (since the staff does not speak English) they geve as a great welcome. At the entrance a paleontologist at the museum immediately and 'readily available to us. Crossing the threshold, we found ourselves at the foot of a huge reconstruction of a hairy mammoth at least 3 meters. A few yards into the skull of a mammoth place at eye level, with our suddenly, surprised the paleontologist has kindly removed the strings of protection, to enable us to take some photos in close contact with the "big heads"!..continuing we got to meet several complete skeletons of Ovibos moscatus, equus lenensis Bison priscus, ursus spelaeus all in excellent condition and complete and faithful reproduction of a baby mammoth (the famous baby mammoth Lyuba just a few months, found in Siberia in 2007, the best preserved specimen that was ever found) But the best was yet to come .... Joints in the penultimate room paleontologist took a mammoth humerus and have it literally put our arm!!.....Imagine how it feels to hold a bone giant 5 million years old and at least 60 kg heavierimmediately comes to my mind the pictures of the books I used to admire when I was young, stories that told of a shipment of men scattered on the ice to survive, are forced to eat the flesh of a mammoth found among the glaciers (and ultimately the story ' was considered a legend surely)..... After the bones it was the turn of the skin and hair (which still smelled strongly of animal) Despite the small size, the museum can boast of being unique. In fact there are not other museums devoted entirely to animals of the ice age and above is the first interactive museum where you can touch, lift, and interact with exhibits fossiles ! Danny (Fossil Hunter) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FossilHunter.info Posted December 9, 2010 Author Share Posted December 9, 2010 ..more pics Danny (Fossil Hunter) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Terry Dactyll Posted December 9, 2010 Share Posted December 9, 2010 FossilHunter.Info.... Looks like you had a great time... Its unusual you were allowed to touch the fossils so credit to the Palaeontologist who was prepared to spend some time with you showing you around... If I'm ever in Barcelona, I'll be sure to visit...Great report... Cheers Steve... And Welcome if your a New Member... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tracer Posted December 9, 2010 Share Posted December 9, 2010 really cool report. thanks for giving us a "virtual tour". Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nala Posted December 9, 2010 Share Posted December 9, 2010 Very nice report and pictures,thanks to share Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JohnJ Posted December 9, 2010 Share Posted December 9, 2010 What an opportunity to take photos for comparative reference! The human mind has the ability to believe anything is true. - JJ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tracer Posted December 9, 2010 Share Posted December 9, 2010 What an opportunity to take photos for comparative reference! yes, i was going to ask him to go back there and take a thousand or so hi-res closeups to send me for reference purposes but i couldn't figure out how to ask for that without sounding "high-maintenance"... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest N.AL.hunter Posted December 9, 2010 Share Posted December 9, 2010 What an honor to get to hold the actual fossils. I know of some musuems that have broken pieces out for "touching" but nothing whole and in such nice condition. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
32fordboy Posted December 9, 2010 Share Posted December 9, 2010 Now THAT is a museum. www.nicksfossils.com Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FossilHunter.info Posted December 9, 2010 Author Share Posted December 9, 2010 yes, i was going to ask him to go back there and take a thousand or so hi-res closeups to send me for reference purposes but i couldn't figure out how to ask for that without sounding "high-maintenance"... I 'have got more pic ..and all in high res...if you need some all you have to do is just ask....is not a poblem . Danny (Fossil Hunter) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cris Posted December 10, 2010 Share Posted December 10, 2010 Very nice report! I've been to museums with lots of hands on exhibits (not fossils). It makes the whole experience much more memorable. Thanks for sharing it with us! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MikeD Posted December 10, 2010 Share Posted December 10, 2010 What a great museum! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MOROPUS Posted December 10, 2010 Share Posted December 10, 2010 Very soon, an Ice Age Fauna museum will be opening in Asturias, northern Spain, home of many caves with prehistoric paintings, aswell as very old remains of human and non human fossils. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tony Eaton Posted December 15, 2010 Share Posted December 15, 2010 The museum in Barcelona and the one in Asturias sound really cool. I especially like the hands on experience (that is not a video screen or molded plastic!). I guess the word "Museu" is Catalan, I am used to "Museo" from the museums I've been to in Mexico. If I ever get to tour Spain one day I'll make sure these museums are on the list. Thanks for the posts, Tony Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FossilHunter.info Posted December 15, 2010 Author Share Posted December 15, 2010 The museum in Barcelona and the one in Asturias sound really cool. I especially like the hands on experience (that is not a video screen or molded plastic!). I guess the word "Museu" is Catalan, I am used to "Museo" from the museums I've been to in Mexico. If I ever get to tour Spain one day I'll make sure these museums are on the list. Thanks for the posts, Tony Hi Tony ,is a pleasure! is the dog in the pic your dog!?!? looks like my crazy dog kelly !!! Danny (Fossil Hunter) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tony Eaton Posted December 18, 2010 Share Posted December 18, 2010 Ciao Danny, Yes, it is a my dog Atticus. He is crazy too! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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