The Museum of Prehistoric Anthropology has unveiled its latest exhibition, The Butterfly Effect: The Prehistory of Animals. Following the Lascaux caves exhibit that dominated the museum for much of 2024, this captivating new showcase is an educational voyage through biodiversity and the evolutionary history that has shaped the animal kingdom.
The exhibition, which will run for a full year until 1st December 2025, takes its name from the term “butterfly effect”, a metaphor describing how small changes can lead to significant outcomes. This concept underpins the narrative, emphasising the impact of shifts in biodiversity on ecosystems and the evolution of local fauna.
Spread across two rooms, The Butterfly Effect: The Prehistory of Animals delves into prehistoric animal life and how it has transformed and adapted over time. It features a wide array of archaeological finds, including fossils, skeletons and other remains that provide a glimpse into the natural history of Monaco and the Mediterranean region during the Paleolithic and Neolithic periods.
Visitors can expect to see a Siberian mammoth, the undisputed centrepiece of the show, as well as an area dedicated to the ibex, a type of wild goat noted for the males’ enormous, curved horns. The exhibition also includes a collection featuring rare and exotic butterflies and insects, alongside intriguing animal statuettes from various places and eras, showcasing the eternal link between humans and their animal cousins.
Education meets conservation
Designed for all ages, the exhibition includes interactive elements such as workshops for children, specialist-led guided tours and conferences on archaeozoology and ethology. Multimedia displays offer an immersive experience of prehistoric life and the environmental variations that shaped it.
Additionally, a dedicated section highlights Monaco’s conservation initiatives and environmental actions, with contributions from the Principality’s Environment Department and the Le Jardin Animalier de Monaco, demonstrating ongoing efforts to protect biodiversity.
For more information on the museum and the exhibition, click here.
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Photo source: Museum of Prehistoric Anthropology