ACAMAR: fossil of Homo sapiens found in the Po
2023-07-10 08:00 - 2023-09-30 17:00 (Europe/Rome) | Museo di Storiografia Naturalistica, via Università 12, Parma, 43121
“I was walking along the Po near Isola Serafini when my attention was drawn to something unusual. It was not a stone, but a fragment of bone. So I found Acamar, a cranial bone of a Palaeolithic man’.
This is the account of Prof. Davide Persico, Professor of Palaeontology and Director of the Natural History Museum. A chance discovery, thanks to a period of water crisis in the Po, which gives us new perspectives on our history.
Faced with the fossil, the professor had no doubts. It was immediately clear that this was an important find.
“The bone immediately caught my attention and I immediately confirmed that it was a very ancient find”. This is how Prof. Persico recalls his experience, which dates back to last September.
The discovery took place in the Isola Serafini area (Monticelli d’Ongina)
The fossil is now at the Museum of Natural History, which will ensure its preservation and coordinate the multidisciplinary study.
The research project, called ‘ACAMAR‘, will investigate the palaeoanthropology, palaeogenetics and geochemistry of the precious artefact. It will take place in the coming months through a collaboration between the Superintendency, the University of Parma, the University of Milan, the University of Bologna and the Paleoanthropological Museum of the Po in San Daniele Po
Acamar, the name chosen for the find, comes from the name of the star that is part of the constellation Eridanus.

Natural History Museum: closed for restoration
2023-07-24 08:00 - 2024-09-15 17:00 | Orto Botanico, via Farini 90, Parma, 43121, Italia
From Monday 24 July, the Museum of Natural History, both the premises on Strada Farini and Via Università, will also close for restyling.
We will keep you updated on these pages.
When: from Monday 24 July until the end of work

Botanical Garden closed for restoration
2023-07-24 08:00 - 2024-09-30 17:00 | Orto Botanico, via Farini 90, Parma, 43121, Italia
The Botanical Garden is closed for the start of restoration and enhancement work.
Two interventions will affect the Botanical Garden area in the coming months:
The historic garden enhancement project, financed under the PNRR project ‘Programmi per la valorizzare l’identità dei luoghi: parchi e giardini storici‘, by the Ministry of Culture.The work, which concerns the landscaping of the garden, is aimed at respecting biodiversity while minimising water and energy management costs. The leitmotif of the intervention is consistency: the vegetation, naturalistic and environmental needs of the plants prevail over other aspects and the entire garden must be able to act as a ‘botanical embassy’ of the area, as a platform for dialogue to reinforce education in a non-anthropocentric observation of the world.
The project takes into utmost consideration the ecological and naturalistic requirements of the site, minimising soil consumption and reducing the impact on the root systems in the garden. The work includes the resurfacing of paths, the construction of an irrigation system, the creation of new flower beds with low water requirements, the landscaping of rockeries and wetlands, and the building of a new greenhouse to display the succulent collection, which cannot be visited today.
The project is by A+C_Architettura e Città Studio Associato
The project to restore the historic greenhouses and the Botany School, which benefits from a fundamental impulse by ‘Parma, io ci sto!‘, is co-financed by the University of Parma, the Ministry of University and Research, the Cariparma Foundation and the Chiesi Group.
Thanks to sponsors, the Ferdinandee Greenhouses (dating back to the end of the 18th century) and the 19th-century Botany School will be restored and reinstated. The latter building will house the historical herbarium collections, the historical library and a small botanical museum. The Bourbon greenhouses will be restored to their original structures, with the elimination of posthumous structures and a return to the original design of the Petitot School. The new installations will ensure maximum energy savings. The spaces will not only house plants, but will be multifunctional buildings that can also be used for exhibitions and events. Next to the Serre Ferdinandee, new public services, cafeteria, meeting place, bookshop will be opened.
The project is by Studio Canali Associati
The projects were presented on Monday 29 May in the historical headquarters in Strada Farini in the presence of the Rettore, Paolo Andrei, of Mayor Michele Guerra, the Scientific Director of the Botanical Garden Renato Bruni,of the President of Fondazione Cariparma Franco Magnani, the President of ‘Parma, Io ci sto! Alessandro Chiesi and Giovanna Usvardi, Global Communication & External Relations Head of the Chiesi Group, and of course the designers Guido Canali and Paola Cavallini, representing Studio Canali Associati and A+C_Architettura e Città Studio Associato.
When: from Monday 24 July until the conclusion of the work.

Museums for Researchers' Night
2023-09-29 | Campus – Parco Area delle Scienze, via delle Scienze, Parma, 43125, Italia
European Researchers’ Night approaches, Europe’s leading science communication event promoted in the city by the University of Parma with the co-organisation and patronage of the Municipality of Parma and Imem – CNR.
On Friday 29 September, starting at 4 p.m., the Athenaeum has several events planned.
Most of the activities are free, but some require reservations:will be possible to book exclusively online from 15 to 26 September through the official event website.
The University Museums also participate with various initiatives:
Cristalli alla ribalta
prof.ssa Alessia Bacchi
A fascinating journey into the world of crystals. From their genealogy at the centre of the earth to the art of chocolate ice cream. Curious? Between experiments and visits, our doors are open to visitors of all ages.
Plesso di Chimica – Pad. 01 –Museum of Crystal Chemistry (first floor corridor) – Campus Scienze e Tecnologie
Visiting the exhibition “Pitagora e il suo Teorema”
prof. Federico Bergenti
personal and interactive tours suitable for both “adult children” and younger children. We propose a classification that never wanes: “Pitagora e il Suo Teorema”. Come and find out.
Plesso di Matematica – Pad. 21 – Second floor, Sala mostre – Campus Scienze e Tecnologie
Visit to the ‘Interactive Exhibition on the History of the Personal Computer’.
prof. Federico Bergenti
Do you know the history of the personal computer? Come to the interactive exhibition to retrace the dawn of the digital age and discover this fascinating journey together.
Plesso di Matematica – Pad. 21 – First floor, Sala mostre – Campus Scienze e Tecnologie
GEOLIFE: Earth sciences in everyday life
prof.ssa Luciana Mantovani, Alessandra Montanini and Teresa Trua
Journey to the centre of the earth to go through our daily actions and understand what is and is not good for us. From age 6 onwards, the aim of our workshop is to walk together through the interactions that take place on our planet and distinguish the beneficial from the harmful.
Plesso Scienze della Terra – Pad. 07 – Central corridor – Campus Scienze e Tecnologie
Nature in the Archive: Discovering Biodiversity and Ecosystems Inside and Outside the CSAC Archive
dott.ssa Margherita Zazzero
Biodiversity and nature in the spaces and collections of the CSAC, analysed and recounted through paths of exploration and discovery of the environment around the abbey and of nature as recounted in the collections of works of art and photographs preserved in the archives.
Centro Studi e Archivio della Comunicazione (CSAC) – Abbazia di Valserena, Via Viazza di Paradigna, 1

The goodness of the divine swine
prof. Ferdinando Gazza, Luisa Ragionieri, Francesca Ravanetti, Antonio Cacchioli, Maddalena Botti, Federico Righi
A cult of our culinary tradition starting from the historical origins of the domestic pig, through its breeding. The fascinating world of high-quality charcuterie products typical of our region.
Veterinary Anatomical Museum – Sala inferiore – Aula A – via del Taglio, 10
