An exposition “Des mammouths sous la mer” (about the Mammoths below the sea) has been opened in “Océanopolis”, one of the World’s biggest sea exhibitions, in Brest, France (Bretagne) on Saturday 7 Februari 2004. The display will be available up until 24 September. The explanation is bilingual, both French and English
Introduction
The staff of Océanopolis and Cerpolex/Mammuthus (
www.oceanopolis.com) have produced an interesting display about the colossal amount of Mammoth remains, which fishermen have recovered from the bottom of the North Sea in between the United Kingdom and the Netherlands. There is a story to tell about the mammoth; both based on those discoveries of the North Sea and on the Mammoth remains of Siberia, like the famous the Jarkov Mammoth, which has been secured in 1999. A replica of that block containing its remains is on display
That block of solid frozen mud with the remains of the Mammoth is in a subterranean cave presently, in the far North of Siberian the Taimyr Peninsula. The explorers have been working very arduously on that block with a mass of 23000 kilograms and have discovered some very interesting facts about Mammoths and their natural environment.
The Dutch sculptor, Remie Bakker from Rotterdam has been assigned to craft a reconstruction of the block, including the huge tusks of the Jarkov Mammoth. Remie has done a terrific job as you can see because it is on the exhibition in Brest and it gives an excellent impression of the progress on the uncovering of the Jarkov Mammoth, aged 20,380 years. It gives also a good idea about how and which sections of the block are being explored, thawed by using air dryers, and what kind of information has been gathered.
Educational
In a large fishnet are hundreds of Mammoth remains which should give an impression of the abundance of those artefacts on the bottom of the North Sea, However there are no complete skeletons left. Palaeological remains of other mammals do not get much attention. This has been done deliberately, in order not to deviate the attentions from the main story of the exposition. It is about mammoths and especially their habitat.
Remie Bakker has also produced large reconstructions of landscapes with Mammoths, Woolly Rhinoceroses and steppe bisons in order to illustrate this part of the exposition about the vast Mammoth steppes of the Pleistocene.
Next we arrive at the Jarkov mammoth replica and we’re witnessing the narrative of its the spectacular recovery. A new technique has been introduced, excavating the complete block of permafrost, when it is totally frozen over in the harsh Siberian winter. And the utilisation of real heavy equipment, a gigantic transport helicopter, to haul it to a suitable place for exploration. The replica block shows that the woolly mammoth was really “woolly” as thick layers of wool are still embedded in the frozen mud. The part of the block that has been melted, has produced an overwhelming treasure of information. Details are shown at the exhibition. Moreover, short motion pictures are attempting to enlighten the visitor on those details.
Dolgans.
In such an exhibition some attention must be given to the native people of the Taimyr peninsula, the Dolgans. After all it was the Dolgan family Jarkov who discovered the mammoth already in 1997. So this part of the exposition is dedicated to their history and their every day life especially in winter time with extreme harsh climatic circumstances.
How the Mammoth grows and develops
Some twenty sculptures, crafted by Werner Schmid, show how a Mammoth is given birth and how he slowly develop into a sturdy old behemoth by the age of some 47 years. After visiting this exhibition it will be clear that not all mammoths have had gigantic tusk. Also about Mammoths there is a common visualisation of gigantic but sad monsters roaming lonely around in the eternal snow, about to be scavenged by pacts of wolves. The exhibiltion will make clear that this picture is most inaccurate. All in all the exibition is a must see.
After 26 September the exhibition will start to travel. The next location is unknown yet but as soon as more information becomes available, it will be announced on the website of "de Werkgroep Pleistocene Zoogdieren"
Where to find?
Should you happen to have planned your holiday in France and are you passing by Brest (Bretagne) then I would highly recommend visiting this unique exhibition about an exceptional animal. It’s well worth it. Oh and of course the beautiful and gigantic fish tanks of Océanopolis are well worth the visit too. Oceanopolis is easy to locate in Brest. Just follow the big signs and you will find yourself on the parking area soon, without any problem. Details like can be found at the website
www.oceanopolis.com and for opening hours and admittance fees:
http://www.oceanopolis.com/infos/horaires.htm
Dick Mol
Cerpolex/Mammuthus
Natuurmuseum Rotterdam