Museo della Preistoria di Nardò

THE MUSEUM

Located in the former convent of St. Anthony of Padua, the Museo della Preistoria di Nardò hosts a collection of finds from archaeological campaigns carried out since the early sixties in the caves of the Regional Natural Park of Porto Selvaggio and Palude del Capitano. A high concentration of caves frequented by man since the Paleolithic Age (Caves and Shelters of Capelvenere, Marcello Zei, Torre dell'Alto, Cavallo, Uluzzo C, Uluzzo, Bernardini and Serra Cicora A), along with the Neolithic site of Serra Cicora and fortifications dating back to the Bronze Age, make this Park a place of its own kind both for the richness of its landscapes and the history of its inhabitants, now studied and divulged at the Museum. The narration spans across a chronological arc that starts from about 75 million years ago, highlighting the environmental and cultural changes occurred through millennia as well as the modifications to the existing landscapes first introduced by Homo neanderthalensis, then by Homo sapiens. Among the most important findings, MPN preserves the most ancient osteological remains attributed to Homo sapiens in the European continent, dating back to about 45,000 years ago. In addition to promoting Heritage enjoyment and enhancement, MPN activates research projects in synergy with the local Superintendence, with university departments and other entities operating in the same field.