Page 148 - (DK Eyewitness) Travel Guide - Argentina

146  ARGENTINA REGION B Y REGION

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 aca demic hub. Argentina has been the
location of many dramatic dinosaur finds, and the museum
boasts the original skeleton of a herbivo rous Titanosaurus
and extensive collections of the extinct giant megafauna
of the Cenozoic period. Geo logical 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 A saber-toothed-tiger statue at the
Pampas, complete the collection. entrance to the museum

Second floor

Ethnography Gallery
On display are examples of
textiles, weapons, cooking imple­
ments, jewelry, and other items
used by the country’s many
indige nous groups. Some were
collec ted 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 office

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 in this region see p280 and pp291–2

146-147_EW_Argentina.indd 146 05/08/16 10:40 am
Eyewitness Travel LAYERS PRINTED:
Starsight template “UK” LAYER
(Source v2.7)
Date 24th April 2013
Size 125mm x 217mm