Münster becomes the scene of earth's history: mammoth and more!

Münster becomes the scene of earth's history: mammoth and more!

The Geomuseum of the University of Münster is presenting an impressive program on the occasion of the upcoming event “Schauraum – the festival of museums and galleries” from September 4th to 6th, 2025. The focus is on the 43,000-year-old “Ahlen Mammoth”, one of the oldest and most complete skeletal finds of this species. This remarkable exhibit, an adult but not very old bull, was discovered in 1910 in a clay pit in Ahlen, North Rhine-Westphalia. The place where it was found was a swampy lowland, and the animal probably died in a mud pool. The circumstances of the find are special, as common finds often only contain isolated bones and teeth. The mammoth's thorax is completely preserved, making it a unique scientific testimony. Although the skull had to be reconstructed from plaster because only fragments remained, the specimen impressively conveys the story of its former life.

As part of the “Schauraum”, a joint production by the city of Münster with various museums and partners, the Geomuseum will have extended opening hours from September 4th to 6th from 4 p.m. to midnight. Passers-by can already look at the mammoth from the outside through a large window, which has been in its place since July 2022 and is impressive with a height of 3.20 meters and a length of 5.20 meters. The history of the creation of the museum itself is just as remarkable: After a 16-year closure due to renovation work, the Geomuseum opened on August 10, 2025 in time for the “showroom”. With an exhibition that illustrates the geological development of Westphalia since the Big Bang in 14 subject areas, it offers a comprehensive insight into the natural history of the region.

Diverse program and activities

Guided tours, hands-on activities and special events such as participation in the Night of Museums and Galleries on September 6th round off the offer. Among other things, the Archaeological Museum will offer guided tours at 4 and 6 p.m. on the arts and crafts of ancient cultures. The Bible Museum offers workshops on writing on papyrus and parchment from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. and a replica of the Gutenberg printing press in operation from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. A special exhibition in the Bible Museum focuses on the history of the Bible, Martin Luther and the Reformation up to the Peasants' Wars in 1525.

Additional tours of the special exhibition “The Story of the Bible” are scheduled at 8, 9 and 10 p.m. The neighboring houses on Cathedral Square will also be open until midnight and invite you to visit and discover them. All university museum program items during the “Schauraum” are free and do not require registration, which promotes the accessibility of culture and history for everyone interested.

A highlight of the museum landscape

The Geomuseum is part of the Museum Quarter in Münster, which also includes the Archaeological Museum, the Bible Museum and the LWL Museum for Art and Culture. The geological development of the region is clearly presented with the unique exhibits from Westphalia and valuable scientific originals. In addition to the “Ahlen Mammoth”, there are numerous other exhibits that focus on meteorites, the location of Münster on the equator and the history of fish from the Cretaceous Sea.

Overall, the “Schauraum” event promises to be a celebration for culture lovers and an opportunity to explore the fascinating history of the earth. A festival that not only brings the museums and galleries to the fore, but also highlights the interaction between different institutions. Experiences and knowledge about the natural history of Westphalia are brought to life and invite active participation.