Siberian mammoth CosmoCaixa takes centre stage at Barcelona’s science scene with the arrival of a remarkable Ice Age specimen in the permanent exhibition of the CosmoCaixa Science Museum. The newly installed skeleton of a 40,000 to 50,000-year-old woolly mammoth (Woolly Mammoth) — measuring six metres long and 3.5 metres high — has arrived from the permafrost of Siberia’s Tyumen region and been reconstructed from pieces of three adult animals.
From Siberia to Barcelona: the journey of the mammoth
The mammoth skeleton originates from the Russian Tyumen region and was discovered in 2017 after torrential rain exposed remains in permafrost. The bones were later imported, restored and assembled into a complete mounted skeleton that toured several venues of the Fundació “la Caixa” network (including CaixaForum centres) before finding a permanent home at CosmoCaixa in Barcelona. The museum says the specimen is “one of the most complete in the country and the only one that stands on its own”.
Exhibit highlights and visitor experience
Visitors to CosmoCaixa will find the mammoth installed in the “Universe Hall” (Sala Univers) as a signature piece of the museum’s permanent collection. Alongside the mammoth, the museum is rolling out updated interactive experiences about the laws of physics, the Sun, and other science themes. The sheer scale of the mammoth — six metres in length and 3.5 metres tall — invites visitors to experience the Ice Age world and reflect on the evolution of life on Earth.
Why this matters: culture, science and story
For audiences interested in culture, science and society, the mammoth’s arrival at CosmoCaixa holds significance across multiple layers. Firstly, scientifically, it connects us to big questions: what caused the extinction of mammoths, how did they live, and what can their story tell us about climate change and human-nature interaction? Secondly, from a cultural and institutional viewpoint, this kind of high-profile specimen raises the profile of science museums as spaces not just for education but for powerful storytelling and public engagement. Thirdly, for the museum world and economic/cultural growth, this is an example of how investing in standout exhibits can drive visitor numbers, media attention, and institutional relevance.
What you should know before visiting
If you plan to visit: check the museum’s website for current hours and exhibit details (the mammoth is part of the permanent collection, but special tours may be offered). Consider engaging with the surrounding interactive exhibits—CosmoCaixa is not only about fossil display but science dissemination through immersive formats. Also, allow enough time to absorb both the mammoth’s scale and the broader context: the mammoth is integrated into the museum’s narrative of evolution, climate history and fossil preservation.
