Museum

A real find is the this year's Special Exhibition "Evolution of Humans".

The Siegsdorfer Naturkunde- und Mammut-Museum (Siegsdorf Natural History and Mammoth Museum) owes its origin to the discovery of 45,000 year old mammoth bones. The bones were found in the Gerhartsreiter Graben, not far from Siegsdorf. Since its opening in 1995 more than a million people have visited the museum to see the largest and best preserved mammoth skeleton in the whole of Europe.

The cast replica of the Siegsdorf mammoth

Siegsdorf in Chiemgau. © Stockklauser, Reit in Winkl

The bedrock beneath Siegsdorf consists of sedimentary formations from four different ancient sea basins. Drifting continents folded these former sea floors into the Alps we have today. The whole landscape was further formed during the Ice Age by enormous masses of melt water. A small marshy area turned into one of the most significant sources of fossil remains in Europe. The bone finds prove that at that time mammoths, cave lions, woolly rhinoceroses, giant deer and human beings were living in the area. In the background you can see the striking twin mountains Hochfelln (left)) and Hochgern (right) - seemingly unmoved by climatic events.

More info about Siegsdorf ...

The Natural History and Mammoth Museum in Siegsdorf, with an exhibition area of more than 650 m² covering four floors, provides you with an understanding of the 250 million year geological history of Southeast Bavaria. The graphic presentation of geological principles, the diversity of fossils, the giants of the Ice Age and insights into the Stone Age all combine to make your visit to the museum a fascinating experience.

Chiemgau around 45,000 years ago

Tasks of the Association

The Association of Friends of the Natural History and Mammoth Museum in Siegsdorf (FdM) is comprised of people who share a common interest in the geological history of the Chiemgau region and neighbouring areas. We endeavour to awaken a similar interest in the wider public. The activities of our society are therefore geared to raising public awareness of the Siegsdorf Natural History Museum.  To achieve this we hold lectures, arrange excursions, and support both scientific publications as well as materials for the general public on topics related to the museum: geology, palaeontology and the Ice Age.
Since its founding in 1997, the association has purchased many exhibits including cave bear skeletons, which have been used to develop the museum’s "bear cave". In addition, the association largely financed the construction of the life sized mammoth replica outside the museum at the Traun bridge, as well as the mobile mammoth model.

Financing

Current annual membership fee: 10 €