Meet Our Ancestors and Other Animals
In the exhibition you can study what the first humans looked like, consider why we have long legs and little hair, learn what can happen to human species that end up on islands, and discover what DNA reveals about the Cro‑Magnon human. You will also encounter giant birds, saber‑toothed cats, mammoths, and horses.
Things You Can See and Do With Us
- Feel copies of skulls from prehistoric humans
- Guess which human species lived in which natural environment or sort various animal species chronologically
- Find out why the dwarf elephant is so small compared to the mammoth
- See how material is collected from extinct hyenas and mammoths
- Meet the mighty bird Gastornis
- Discover the saber‑toothed predators, where Smilodon was the largest and most extreme saber‑toothed cat
The exhibition also presents other animals that evolved after the extinction of the dinosaurs.
Neanderthals lived in Europe.
Gastornis lived in tropical forests around 50 million years ago and was related to today's ducks.
Questions and Answers
How were the human models created?
The models were made by working closely with scientific experts and using copies of fossil skeletons from prehistoric humans. A film in the exhibition shows how the models were manufactured.
Are there real skeletons of prehistoric humans in the museum?
No, we only have copies of skulls and skeletons from prehistoric humans.
Are there still Neanderthals?
No, but modern humans of northern‑Saharan origin—that is, in North Africa, Europe, Asia and the Americas—carry Neanderthal genes.
Is the mammoth skeleton authentic?
No, the skeleton is a replica of a Mediterranean mammoth.
Is the exhibition wheelchair‑accessible?
Yes, the entire exhibition is accessible for people with mobility impairments.
Can you purchase tickets in advance?
Yes, the exhibition is included in your entrance ticket, which you can pre‑order here. External link. The exhibition is on display indefinitely.
Photo: Hendrik Zeitler