An interdisciplinary research project at Erasmus University Rotterdam, focused on what studying Neanderthals can teach about human identity, engaged the public in collaborative research. The participants, dubbed "Paleo Experts," posed detailed scientific questions, broadening researchers' perspectives and challenging existing assumptions. Their involvement led to critical discussions, particularly on the nature of Neanderthal-modern human encounters, which influenced the reinterpretation of historical narratives.
Nicolò Scialpi, Chiara Zen, University of Ferrara/ Francesco Garbasi, ArcheoVea Impresa culturale, October 2024
Grotta di Fumane, a key prehistoric site in Europe, is now managed by Archeovea Impresa Culturale, which aims to enhance cultural and archaeological heritage. The site has reopened to the public with regular hours, offering educational programs and guided tours by archaeologists, alongside active research by the University of Ferrara. ArcheoVea is also focused on developing new methodologies for engaging visitors and creating a network among cultural institutions, while expanding its digital presence to connect with a broader audience.
Jeany Weisheit, Museum of Prehistory Blaubeuren, September 2024
For 40,000 years, people in the Swabian Alb have adorned themselves with remarkable jewelry, a tradition now showcased in two newly designed rooms at the Museum of Prehistory in Blaubeuren. Visitors are invited to explore the rich history of jewelry-making, highlighting the incredible craftsmanship of Ice Age artisans.
Explore the Neanderthal Museum's newest feature, the Höhlenblick Tower, where visitors can experience the historic site of the Feldhofer Grotte. This tower offers barrier-free access, interactive exhibits, and a unique view of the Neander Valley as it once was.
Lorka Lončar Uvodić, Krapina Neanderthal Museum, August 2024
"With the Neanderthal Man in Art and Design" and "With the Neanderthal Man in Animation" are educational programs organized by the Krapina Neanderthal Museum from 2019 to 2022. These programs aimed to connect the Museum with high school students, particularly local youth.
Jeany Weisheit and Hannes Wiedmann, Museum of Prehistory Blaubeuren, June 2024
In 2017, UNESCO declared six caves in the Swabian Jura a World Heritage Site under the title "Caves and Ice Age Art in the Swabian Jura." Divided between two valleys, these include the Sirgenstein, the Geißenklösterle, and the Hohle Fels caves in the Ach Valley, as well as the Bockstein and Vogelherd caves and the Hohlenstein-Stadel in the Lone Valley. These sites were selected due to their incredible and unique archaeological finds and their significant contribution to understanding human history.
The interview was conducted by Melanie Wunsch, Head of Exhibition at Neanderthal Museum, May 2024
Susan Peeters lives in Nijmegen, the Netherlands, and is a PhD researcher within the Erasmus School of Philosophy (Erasmus University, Rotterdam). She holds a master’s degree in Biological Psychology and in Behavioral Biology. A first paper, “Neanderthals as familiar strangers and the human spark: How the ‘golden years’ of Neanderthal research reopen the question of human uniqueness”, setting the stage for the current project, was published in 2020 (Peeters & Zwart 2020).
Elisabetta Flor, Alessandra Pallaveri and Luca Scoz, MUSE - The Science Museum of Trento, April 2024
Have you ever tried to fly over a mountain, dive into the depths of the sea or burrow down into the bowels of the earth? Definitely not experiences for everyone! Technology can come to our aid with the virtual reconstruction of environments usually inaccessible or accessible only to a few. In all of this, museums, as places of knowledge and inclusion (as also stated in the new ICOM definition of a museum approved at the congress in Prague in August 2022), can play a strategic role in experimenting with the use of new technologies to expand the range of our possibilities of knowledge. But what are the limits of these applications?
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