{"id":9906,"date":"2024-02-28T15:37:39","date_gmt":"2024-02-28T14:37:39","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/provencelovers.fr\/visit-museum-anthropology-prehistoric-monaco\/"},"modified":"2024-02-28T15:38:41","modified_gmt":"2024-02-28T14:38:41","slug":"visit-museum-anthropology-prehistoric-monaco","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/provencelovers.fr\/en\/visit-museum-anthropology-prehistoric-monaco\/","title":{"rendered":"Museum of Prehistoric Anthropology (Monaco): visit + photos"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Want to find out more about prehistoric remains on the C\u00f4te d’Azur and anthropology in general? We recommend a visit to<\/strong> Monaco’s Museum of Prehistoric Anthropology<\/strong>. You’ll learn a lot about the civilizations that came before us, through furniture, utensils, burials and bones. <\/p>\n\n

Here are some useful tips<\/strong> for planning your visit to the Museum of Prehistoric Anthropology in the Principality of Monaco.<\/p>\n\n

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This guide is completely independent<\/strong>, based on our experiences. We visited the region anonymously, making our own choices and paying our bills in full.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n

Is a visit to the Museum of Prehistoric Anthropology worthwhile?<\/h2>\n\n

Yes, this museum, founded by Prince Albert I in 1902, is well worth a visit. In fact, we listed it in our article on the best museums in Monaco<\/a>. Although the museum’s mix of old and new features may confuse some visitors, the two rooms that make up the museum offer a wealth of information. The first enables us to trace the major developments in the history of mankind. The second displays prehistoric remains found in the principality, notably in the nearby Jardin Exotique<\/a> cave. We’ve learned that over a million years ago, the C\u00f4te d’Azur was already a favored habitat for our prehistoric ancestors. We were also able to discover a temporary exhibition.<\/p>\n\n

In our opinion, this is one of the best things to do in Monaco<\/a>, especially with the whole family!<\/p>\n\n

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What you can see<\/h2>\n\n

A Roman sarcophagus<\/h3>\n\n
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As we began our visit, we took time to observe the objects installed outside. We saw many stelae, but it was this beautiful Roman sarcophagus that caught our eye. It’s very interesting because it dates from the first half of the 3rd century, a period of transition between pagan and Christian sarcophagi. The medallion in the center represents the deceased (a man of letters, judging by the scroll in his hand), while the masks ward off evil spells. <\/p>\n\n

Burials<\/h3>\n\n
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We then entered the Salle Albert I, dedicated to general prehistory. There we discovered an exhibition offering a journey through time, from Monaco to Chile. A large part was dedicated specifically to funeral rites. We’d also like to point out that a large number of bones and skeletons will be exhibited in this type of museum. If you are sensitive to this, we advise you to find out more beforehand. We saw a mummy, for example, as well as this female skeleton dating from the Palaeolithic period.<\/p>\n\n

Steles<\/h3>\n\n
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A little further on, we were impressed by this stele, which was highlighted by its central location in the room. Thanks to an explanatory panel, we were able to understand the significance of the motifs engraved on them, which represented the journey of the deceased to heaven. This stele was found in Mongolia, on the Tsatsyn Ereg site. By the time you get to the museum, it may no longer be on display, but you’ll no doubt be able to see others on the terrace. <\/p>\n\n

Furniture and utensils<\/h3>\n\n
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Chile grating bar.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n

We were also able to observe numerous pieces of furniture and utensils. They are an invaluable source of information for anthropologists, as they tell them about the lifestyles of past civilizations. As part of the exhibition, ancient ceramics were on display, as well as this 11th-15th century Chilean grating tablet. Chileans used to put hallucinogenic substances in them, which they then breathed in through their noses.<\/p>\n\n

Innovative devices<\/h3>\n\n
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We were surprised by the scenography, which featured both old-fashioned devices (sheets rather than solid labels or panels, objects displayed in circular glass cabinets) and more innovative presentations. For example, we spotted this hologram, representing a bronze panther sculpture (1st-3rd AD), housed at the Mus\u00e9e d’Arch\u00e9ologie Nationale<\/a> in Saint-Germain-en-Laye (35min from Paris). <\/p>\n\n

An impressive mammoth skeleton<\/h3>\n\n
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We then entered the Salle Rainier III, dedicated to regional prehistory. The tour was dedicated to the discoveries of Prince Albert I. We were able to understand the origins of the museum’s collection, and how it was created. We were particularly attracted by this impressive mammoth skeleton. Unearthed from the Arctic Circle in the 1990s, it measures 2.8m in height and its tusks reach almost 2.5m!<\/p>\n\n

A piece of prehistoric beach<\/h3>\n\n
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We were also impressed by this sedimentary limestone rock, made up of fossil shells. We’d never seen anything like it before! Discovered between the end of the 19th century and the beginning of the 20th century, it comes from a cave that no longer exists. It was located close to the sea, on the Italian side, right next to the beautiful French town of Menton.<\/p>\n\n

A pleasant terrace overlooking the Rocher<\/h3>\n\n
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Before leaving the museum, take time to enjoy its terrace. It is very pleasant and an integral part of the visit. Objects are displayed here as an extension of the exhibits. You’ll also see explanatory panels on Monaco’s major architectural achievements of different periods. We found them interesting. They acted as an orientation table. Thanks to this, we were able to enjoy the superb panorama of Port-Hercule and the Rocher with a more seasoned eye! <\/p>\n\n

Monaco Museum of Prehistoric Anthropology: access<\/h2>\n\n

Where is the museum?<\/h3>\n\n