Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
La Plata: Museo de La Plata
The first purpose-built museum in Latin America, opened
in 1888, Museo de La Plata is an important showcase for
findings as well as an academic hub. Argentina has been the
location of many dramatic dinosaur finds, and the museum
boasts the original skeleton of a herbivorous
Titanosaurus
and extensive collections of the extinct giant megafauna
of the Cenozoic period. Geological and archaeological
exhibits, including fantastic animalistic stone sculptures
from the Condorhuasi culture of Catamarca, as well as old
oil paintings of the huge beasts that used to roam the
Pampas, complete the collection.
A saber-toothed-tiger statue at the
entrance to the museum
Second loor
Ethnography Gallery
On display are examples of
textiles, weapons, cooking imple-
ments, jewelry, and other items
used by the country's many
indigenous groups. Some were
collected by the museum's
founder, Francisco P. Moreno.
Entomology Gallery
The entomology room is filled with various
species of beetles, vividly colored butterflies
such as the
Papilio thoas thoantides
(above),
and larvae and pupae at every stage of their
development.
Ticket oice
Entrance
.
Jawbones of the Blue Whale
Marine life is a significant part of the zoology display and the
gigantic jawbones of the blue whale are a highlight. Also of note are
the bird samples collected by naturalist William Henry Hudson in
the 19th century.
For hotels and restaurants see pp278-83 and pp288-99
