The Museum of Origins was founded in 1942 by Ugo Rellini, Full Professor of Palethnology at "La Sapienza" University of Rome. It was created from an early nucleus of collections donated by Rellini himself. Over time the museum was enriched through the research activities of the Palethnology Institute, exchanges with other museums in Italy and abroad, and loans granted by various Italian Superintendencies. In over seventy years since its creation, the permanent exhibition has been renewed several times.
The exhibition follows a chronological order, from the Lower Palaeolithic, to the First Iron Age. In-depth thematic studies regarding social organisation, subsistence activities, funerary rituals and technology enable to understand the lifestyles and the ideological world of past communities.
The museum collections include archaeological materials from some major sites such as Coppa Nevigata, with its impressive stratigraphy spanning from the early Neolithic to the Bronze Age, or wooden artefacts from the pile-dwelling village of Ledro, dating back to approximately 4,000 years ago, or rich burial objects from the Bronze Age Cave of Manaccore (Foggia), and bronze objects from the First Iron Age hoard of Piediluco.
As an university Museum it is an "open laboratory", enabling students to use scientific equipment and participate in conservation activities.
The museum is open to the public from Monday to Friday from 9am to 1pm. Guided tours for groups and schools on reservation.
Tel. (+39) 06 49913924
Museum Hub - Museum of Origins (in Italian)