Banyoles Museum reopens this week after a 16-year transformation, showcasing Europe’s most prized human jaw for the first time.
The landmark archaeological find, dating back up to 70,000 years, is the centrepiece of a €4.76 million renovation.
Consequently, the newly renovated Museu Arqueològic Comarcal de Banyoles (MACB) now presents over 1,600 original artefacts.
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Many pieces are displayed publicly for the first time, having been protected for decades by the unique lacustrine conditions of the Pla de l’Estany region.
Banyoles Museum Showcases Archaeological Treasures
The museum’s complete overhaul spans several historic buildings in the town centre. Furthermore, it traces an uninterrupted human history of 45 million years through five major periods, from the Paleolithic to the Middle Ages.
Among the exceptional exhibits are bones from 40-million-year-old fauna like crocodiles and sea cows. Additionally, visitors can see Neolithic objects with preserved organic materials such as wood and rope, all remarkably conserved under lake waters for centuries.
The star attraction, however, is undoubtedly the Banyoles jaw. Discovered in 1887 within a travertine block at the Alsius pharmacy, the fossil has been carefully guarded by the same family for 140 years. Its recent donation and dramatic 170-metre procession to the museum, escorted by conservation technicians and local police, mark a historic moment.
Meanwhile, scientific debate continues about its origins. The Max Planck Institute for Anthropology in Germany is currently analysing DNA samples from its teeth. The results could confirm whether it belongs to a Neanderthal, as initially thought, or a Homo sapiens, which would make it the oldest of its kind in Europe.
“If it turns out to be a sapiens, it would be the oldest in Europe,” explains museum director Lluís Figueres. “There’s also the possibility it’s a hybrid, given the known coexistence between Neanderthals and sapiens for many years. That would also be explosive news.”
From Sabre-Tooth Skulls to Roman Sandals
The jaw is far from the only remarkable item on display. The collection also features a complete one-million-year-old sabre-toothed cat skull and the oldest Homo sapiens skull found in Catalonia.
Moreover, visitors can see Europe’s oldest Neolithic bow from the Draga settlement and Neanderthal teeth from the Serinyà caves. A fifth-century Roman leather sandal, discovered in 2020 and preserved almost intact, offers a poignant human connection to the past.
The museum’s immersive journey is supported by clear pedagogical resources. High-fidelity recreations, videos, and holograms enhance the narrative without overshadowing the artefacts themselves. This approach aims to make 45 million years of history both accessible and emotionally engaging for all visitors.
“We want to conserve, disseminate, and safeguard these pieces,” says Figueres, “but also for people to feel emotional when they see them.” The museum uniquely charts an unbroken timeline of human presence in the region from 200,000 years ago to the present day.
The renovation project, initiated in 2009 and completed between 2021 and 2024, represents a significant cultural investment. Funding came from multiple sources, with the Banyoles Town Council contributing nearly 30%, supported by the Generalitat and the Ministry of Culture. This major reopening adds to the region’s rich cultural offerings, much like the ambitious programmes seen during Barcelona’s festive seasons.
For those interested in exploring Catalonia’s historical depth beyond the city, the museum’s reopening provides a compelling reason to visit Banyoles. The region’s archaeological wealth, preserved by its unique lake environment, now has a world-class venue worthy of its treasures. This development complements other regional cultural investments, similar to the transformative projects revitalising local infrastructure across Catalonia.
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