El Museo de Ciencias Naturales de la Universidad de Zaragoza

Abstract

Universities amass a great heritage derived from their teaching and research labor, often unknown by the university community itself and by the general public. University museums are responsible for safeguarding and enhancing these collections. The Paleontological Museum of the University of Zaragoza emerged in the 80s as a need to manage the paleontological heritage generated by the researchers of this institution and adapt it to existing legislation. The Museum of Natural Sciences of the University of Zaragoza (MCNUZ), heir to the previous museum, is an active and constantly growing museum, which is in charge of managing the Natural Sciences collections of the University, the most notable being the Collection of Paleontology, composed of more than 42 000 specimens and 327 holotypes. Beyond its internal management, the MCNUZ is becoming the powerhouse of activities related to natural sciences in the province of Zaragoza thanks to an extensive program of talks, book presentations and debate tables, competitions dedicated to young people and temporary exhibitions. It is also a resource of great value for university teaching itself. University museums are not only essential to safeguard university heritage, but they are also a tool for direct communication with society.