ZAGREB, 7 Nov (Hina) - The exhibition "Skull C – World Paleoanthropological Heritage", whose central exhibit is the most complete Neanderthal skull from Krapina, approximately 130,000 years old, was opened on Thursday at the Croatian Natural History Museum (HPM).
The original fossil Skull C, also known as Krapina 3, is the only exhibit displayed in the room. It is presented in a specially designed protective case that ensures controlled microclimatic and lighting conditions. Owing to its exceptional preservation, the fossil provides valuable insights into the facial appearance of Neanderthals, as well as the size and shape of their brains. Marks found on the frontal bone also bear witness to the symbolic aspects of Neanderthal life.
The specimen is part of the Krapina Diluvium Collection, which has been housed at the Croatian Natural History Museum for 120 years. It is estimated that the site yielded remains of several dozen individuals of various ages and sexes. The HPM holds three subcollections from this site: hominins (about 900 specimens), tools (over 1,000), and animal remains (over 2,000), noted the exhibition's coordinator and museum director Tatjana Vlahović.
Vlahović explained that the exhibition was created out of a desire to present this unique fossil specimen independently for the first time -- "not only as an exceptional scientific and museum object, but also as a cultural asset connecting the past of our planet with the future of science and society."
She added that this positions the HPM as a key guardian of paleoanthropological heritage and evidence of human evolution.
The exhibition was officially opened by Culture and Media Minister Nina Obuljen Koržinek.
The Hušnjakovo Hill site in Krapina was discovered by chance -- much like the famous Neander Valley site -- after unusual bones were found during sand excavation in the late 19th century. The bones were sent to paleoanthropologist Dragutin Gorjanović Kramberger, who initiated excavations carried out in five campaigns between 1899 and 1905. Many at the time doubted that the remains belonged to an ancient human population, but Kramberger dispelled these doubts using the then-new fluorine dating technique.
Fred H. Smith: Croatia is blessed with two major Neanderthal fossil sites
Among the attendees was Fred H. Smith, an American paleoanthropologist from the University of Illinois, who first visited the Croatian Natural History Museum in 1971 to study the Krapina Neanderthal remains.
Croatia is blessed with two very important Neanderthal fossil sites, Krapina and Vindija, which have provided key specimens for understanding Neanderthals and their role in our evolution, said Smith, who will give a lecture on Friday titled "Croatian Neanderthals: The People from Krapina and Vindija and the Neanderthal Story".
The exhibition will remain open until 14 December.
