Introduction

The Geology and Paleontology collections comprise not only tens of thousands of fossils and rocks, but also osteological exhibits, reconstructions, photographs, geological models, ancient tools and more besides. A wealth of material, testament to a long Paduan tradition in the sciences of Paleontology and Geology carried on by scholars whose names are indelibly associated with these fields of study: Antonio Vallisneri, Tomaso Antonio Catullo, Achille De Zigno, Giovanni Omboni, Giorgio Dal Piaz, Ramiro Fabiani, Giambattista Dal Piaz…

Most of the finds are from the north-east of Italy, but the collection includes other items from well-known sites and locations abroad. Also preserved in the museum, importantly, are fossils and rocks collected from deposits now depleted, or no longer traceable or accessible: for researchers, these represent a resource of inestimable value.

Research collections

The collection comprises thousands of samples covering various types of rock (sedimentary, magmatic and metamorphic), coming from the Italian Alps, as well as from other locations in Italy and abroad, which are the product of exploration and research conducted by geologists of the Department of Geosciences. There are also some important historical collections that belonged to famous scholars of the 19th century. The collection of sedimentary rocks comprises a great number of samples, illustratin[...]

Paleobotany Collection

The collection dedicated to paleobotany comprises around 5000 specimens, some of which are more than 400 million years old and come predominantly from locations in the Triveneto area. Plant fossils are exhibited in the so-called “Hall of Palms”, which takes its name from the numerous magnificent palm fossils that cover the walls. The palm fossils are between 50 and 30 million years old (Eocene-Oligocene) and came to light in famous deposits of the Veneto region, including locations in the ne[...]

Vertebrate Fossils Collection

The collections of vertebrate fossils include more than 10,000 items, most of which found in the Triveneto area. The fascinating fish of Bolca, crocodiles and sirenians (aquatic mammals like manatees and dugongs) are just some of the fossils offering evidence of the tropical landscapes that characterized the south west area of the Veneto region between fifty and thirty million years ago. Along with these are numerous remains of dolphins from the Belluno area, datable to around 15 million years[...]

Invertebrate Fossils Collection

The museum possesses tens of thousands of invertebrate fossils. More than half of these were collected in North-East Italy, whilst others come from fossiliferous sites elsewhere in Italy, Europe and beyond. These finds are of fundamental use in reconstructing the history of life on Earth and the geological and climatic evolution of our planet over the last 500 million years. Certain groups of invertebrate fossils — such as trilobites and ammonites — are also extremely helpful in establishing[...]

Contacts

paleontologia.mnu@unipd.it

Scientific referent

prof. Luca Giusberti
Tel +39 049 8279183
e-mail: luca.giusberti@unipd.it

Conservator

dott.ssa Mariagabriella Fornasiero
Tel +39 049 8272086
e-mail: mariagabriella.fornasiero@unipd.it

Technician of the collections:

dott.ssa Letizia Del Favero
Tel +39 049 8272096
e-mail: letizia.delfavero@unipd.it