Human evolution

The Hall of Human Evolution illustrates the main stages of our evolutionary history with some thematic insights.

Life-size silicon reconstructions of six species of hominins, a group of primates that includes man and his extinct ancestors, are the protagonists of the exhibition. The models, three female and three male, are placed in cylindrical display cases around which the visitor can move freely, literally ‘face to face’ with them.
In this way, the main characteristics of some of the most well-known species, such as Australopithecus afarensis, Homo habilis, Homo erectus and Homo neanderthalensis, can be observed, as well as others less well-known, such as Homo floresiensis and Homo naledi.
The latter, discovered in South Africa in 2013, is the subject of a special exhibition. On display is a life-size reconstruction of the section of the Dinaledi Chamber, the site where Homo naledi was discovered and where over 1,500 bones were found.
Homo naledi is a species with unique characteristics and its extraordinary discovery has led to a rethinking of the recent evolution of the genus Homo, which is much more complex than was thought 10-15 years ago.
As far as our species, Homo sapiens, is concerned, it’s the visitor who becomes the protagonist of a special experience by interacting with a multimedia station.

The room is equipped with an information system with several levels of in-depth information. It also includes a series of tactile elements that allow visitors to learn more about the anatomy of the species on display.