National Museum Čačak

National Museum Čačak

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Department of Palaeontology

The palaeontology collection contains the oldest objects of the Museum. First natural specimens were bequeathed to the Museum by Stanko Holeček in 1952 when the Museum was established. Later on, in 1958 the first activities of the Archaeological Department began, bringing about the necessity for the palaeontological analysis. The first palaeontological analysis was carried out by Milorad B. Pavlović from the Institute of Geology and Palaeontology, University of Belgrade, at the request of Milena Đukanić, the Curator of the Museum. Thus the Museum obtained its first collection of the mammalian fauna from Atenica where the following three mammal species were defined: Canis familiaris Linne, Sus scrofa ferus Linne i Bos primigenius Boj. Due to the fact that the Museum lacked an expert in this field, the artefacts were only randomly found objects and personal gifts until 2010, when Delfina Rajić, the Museum Director, established the Department. The Palaeontology Department began its work with Biljana Čkonjović, the first palaeontologist/curator who was responsible for the following activities: research of palaeontological sites; collection and restoration of the specimens of natural history collection; reconstruction of palaeontological and paleoclimatic conditions according to fossil species; determination and systematization of palaeontological, mineralogical andpetrological heritage; and the analysis of geomorphological features of the natural areas.

The palaeontological collection includes the collection of Katica Paunović which comprises diverse palaeontological material dominated by trilobites, graptolites, ammonites, fossilized shells from Mesozoic era, lumachellas, fossil specimens of Nerinea and Hippurites. In 2011, a significant collection of minerals was bequeathed to the National Museum Čačak by Petar Urošević, a Mining Engineer. The most fascinating specimens are the minerals from quartz, amethyst, calcite, antimony and various types of calcite, pyrite, sphalerite and rhodochrosite.

The specimens which captured visitors’ attention are Quaternary mammal remains: a part of the scull, steppe bison horns, a mammoth tooth, cave bear teeth and a giant deer scull.

The Palaeontological Department endeavours to promote and pique the public interest in the geoheritage objects, in order to approach and reveal the geological history of Čačak as a part of the natural and cultural heritage.

Staff:

Biljana Čkonjević, Palaeontologist – Curator
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