Museum of Krapina Neanderthals
The Museum of Krapina Neanderthals is located in the Hušnjakovo locality in Krapina, next to the world’s most famous site of Neanderthal man. The locality itself is protected as the first paleontological nature monument in Croatia. The new museum was officially opened on the 27th. February 2010 years. The Museum of Krapina Neanderthals operates as part of the Museums of Hrvatski Zagorje museum institution, which unites five museums in the Krapina-Zagorje County.
The exhibition area of the museum is located between two hills – Hušnjakov and Josipovac near Krapina, and it has 1200 square meters and is divided into two floors.
Site on the hill Hušnjakov next to Krapina
Site on the hill Hušnjakov next to Krapina
Krapina proto-human
Krapina proto-human
Krapina proto-human
In 1979 American anthropologist Milford H. Wolpoff published his estimate of the number of Krapin Neanderthals based on the study of teeth. He believes that the Krapina collection contains the remains of about 80 individuals, aged from 3 to 27 years. The Krapina collection contains almost a thousand animal bones, and many of them are most likely the remains of hunting by prehistoric humans, so their habits and the state of the natural environment can be read from them.
In 1979 American anthropologist Milford H. Wolpoff published his estimate of the number of Krapin Neanderthals based on the study of teeth. He believes that the Krapina collection contains the remains of about 80 individuals, aged from 3 to 27 years. The Krapina collection contains almost a thousand animal bones, and many of them are most likely the remains of hunting by prehistoric humans, so their habits and the state of the natural environment can be read from them.
Source: tportal.hr
Source: tportal.hr
Who were the Neanderthals?
Neanderthals are a population of protohumans from the Middle Paleolithic, named after fossil remains found in 1856. in the Neadertal valley near Düsseldorf in Germany. They lived in Europe, the Middle East and Western Asia between 250,000 and 30,000 BC. Many anthropologists see in them a comparative branch of humanity. Some scientists consider them a subspecies (Homo sapiens neanderthalensis) within the species Homo sapiens, and some distinguish them as a separate species Homo neanderthalensis, which is supported by the latest Paleogene research.
Circular path Hušnjakovo, Krapina
When you have already reached the place where the remains of the Krapina prehistoric man were found, it is time to take a short walk around to get to know the area where they lived.
The trail is designed as a place for education and recreation, and during the tour you pass through 8 interpretation points:
A little more about the museum and the site
The museum offers a fascinating insight into the world of Krapina prehistoric people, with displays of skeletons and various artifacts found at the site. In addition, visitors can look at the reconstructions of the living environment of the prehistoric man, which are extremely authentic and impressive.
The Museum of Krapin Protohumans was built with an emphasis on interactivity and education, and offers numerous interactive exhibitions and workshops for children and adults. Visitors have the opportunity to learn about different aspects of prehistoric man, including the way of life, the tools they used, the diet and many other fascinating facts.
The Krapin prehistoric man is one of the most important archaeological discoveries in Europe, and the Museum of Krapin prehistoric man is an excellent place to explore and learn about this important era of human history. Therefore, if you are interested in archaeology, history or simply want to experience something new and exciting, visit the Museum of Krapina Protohumans and discover the world of Krapina Protohumans.
About the museum
Promenade Vilibalda Sluge bb
- 49,000 Krapina
- Phone: +385 49 371 491
- Fax: +385 49 374 968
- E-mail: mkn@mhz.hr
- E-mail: rezervacija-mkn@mhz.hr
The site of Krapina Neanderthals “Hušnjakovo” is protected as the first paleontological monument of nature in Croatia, and is among the most important paleoanthropological sites in the world. Thanks to geologist and paleontologist Dragutin Gorjanović Kramberger, the exceptional wealth of finds and the discovery of the largest habitat of Neanderthal man has remained an unsurpassed source of modern scientific information to this day. About nine hundred human fossil bones, numerous fossil remains of Pleistocene animals and more than a thousand pieces of stone tools from the Paleolithic period were found. The age of this rich paleontological site corresponds to 125,000 years ago.
The new Krapin Neanderthal Museum was opened in February 2010. and follows the idea of excellence founded by Dragutin Gorjanović Kramberger, a scientist who announced to the world the unique findings of a fossil man from Krapina. The authors of the project and realization of the museum, architect Željko Kovačić and paleontologist Jakov Radovčić, together with numerous collaborators, have set up an excellent museum that interprets the phenomenon of the creation of man in an interactive way. The permanent exhibition of the museum is conceived in 18 thematic units that take us far into the past, from the oldest past of the Earth to the beginning of civilization and the modern age, with a special emphasis on the famous discovery in Krapina and the importance of the collection of Krapina Neanderthals.
The daily life of these early inhabitants is shown as part of the largest diorama of its kind in the world, and represents a community of Neanderthals of different ages and sexes, gathered in a half-cave around a hearth.
The Museum of Neanderthals in Krapina is one of the most modern museums in the world, which contains numerous interactive contents that stimulate all the visitors’ senses. Multimedia installations, films, information kiosks, virtual walks and holograms amaze visitors, and excellent museum workshops are a special experience.
