Museo Paleontológico de Elche

Museums

Marine reptiles, replicas of dinosaurs, remains of mammoths… A fascinating world where we transported to the Paleaozoic era by means of audiovisual shows and workshops. All this and much more awaits the visitor to the Paleontological Museum of Elche (MUPE), inaugurated in 2004 in the traditional neighbourhood of the Raval. The more than 1,200 fossil and models displayed within its halls provide a complete tour of the exciting history of life on our planet. It is made up of two floors. The lower floor is devoted to palaeontology in general, whilst the upper floor provides an profound insight into the geological history of the province of Alicante and its neighbouring areas. T-Rex The entrance hall to the MUPE hosts a reconstruction of the study of Pedro Ibarra, archivist, librarian and archaeologist of the early XX century and a pioneer in the area of archaeological and palaeontological research in the city. From this commencement, our journey through time begins with an audiovisual show about the origins of the universe and the appearance of the first forms of life on Earth. Three halls recall, in order of antiquity, the three periods, Paleozoic, Mesozoic, Cenozoic, through the fauna and flora which existed in each era. Amongst the fossils which are on display, some of the highlights are the exceptional examples of trilobites, ammonites and a mosasaurio, a marine reptile. There are also replicas of dinosaurs, a skull of a T-Rex and model of a Spinophorosaurus nigerensis, a new kind of dinosaur from Niger, whose origins were determined by the team of palaeontologists at the MUPE. Remains of Mammoths The palaeontological wealth of the province of Alicante may be truly experienced through the displays on the upper floor, with examples of discoveries from Elche, Crevillent, Guardamar and Aspe, as well as from nearby areas, such as Morella and Ribesalbes (Castellón), Las Hoyas (Cuenca) and Quibas (Murcia), amongst others. Amongst the stars of the MUPE, which is full of very interesting exhibits, some outstanding highlights are the original dinosaurs remains from Morella, impressive mammoth remains from Crevillent and fish in an exceptional state of conservation, which reflect one of the most important geological events in the history of the Mediterranean: its drying up. Unique in Alicante In addition, the visitor may enjoy an area of temporary exhibitions, home at the moment to a display of minerals. The MUPE is the only paleontological museum in the province of Alicante. In addition to treasuring part of the province´s rich heritage, it carries out research, conservation and educational activities.