“Carlo Conti” Museum of Archaeology and Palaeontology

Opened in 2007, thanks to the support of the “Ministry of Cultural Heritage and Activities” and the “Municipality of Borgosesia”, the Borgosesia Museum of Archaeology and Palaeontology is dedicated to Carlo Conti, sculptor and
Honorary Inspector of the Archaeological Superintendency of Piedmont (1923–1954).
His research has been the subject of important scientific publications and still forms the basis for our understanding of archaeology in the Valsesia and Piedmont regions. In 1931, in his work *Valsesia Archeologica*,
Conti proposed the creation of a fully-fledged archaeological museum for the valley, foreshadowing the institution that today bears his name.

The Museum preserves and exhibits palaeontological and archaeological material from excavations carried out from the 1930s onwards by Carlo Conti himself and continued by numerous scholars, including
Federico Strobino and Francesco Fedele, together with the G.A.S.B. group (Borgosesia Archaeological and Speleological Group).
The tradition of research and excavations has continued over the years thanks to campaigns carried out by the University of Geneva and the University of Ferrara, which are still active today at the site of the Grotta della Ciota
Ciara, on Mount Fenera, in Borgosesia.

COLLECTIONS

The exhibition features numerous fossil specimens relating to Pleistocene fauna: these include some exceptional Neanderthal remains (the only such finds in Piedmont and amongst the few
in Italy). Among the numerous artefacts are the remains of cave lions, lynxes, aurochs, rhinoceroses and cave bears, of which a reconstructed skeleton is on display. The archaeological collection comprises a wide variety of artefacts dating from the Middle Palaeolithic through to the Neolithic (with particular emphasis on the Square-Mouthed Pot Culture) and bears witness to the settlement
of the area during the Copper Age, the Bronze Age and the Iron Age as well. The exhibition also features finds from the pre-Roman period relating to the Golasecca Culture and from the Roman period, associated with the necropolis of Seso, the ancient Borgosesia. Artefacts from the now-lost Castle of
Vanzone bring the exhibition to a close with artefacts dating from the Late Middle Ages to the 19th century.
Stone tools, pottery, grave goods, coins, soapstone vessels and various metal objects bear witness to the continuous human presence in the area from the Middle Palaeolithic to the present day
.

ACTIVITIES

As well as being open to the public, the museum offers:

• educational activities for school groups, including guided tours and themed workshops
• educational activities aimed at a diverse audience: themed events, temporary exhibitions, guided tours
  by appointment and events dedicated to raising awareness of the heritage preserved in the museum
• joint openings and exhibitions in collaboration with other local museums

SEARCH

Subject to authorisation, the museum makes its archives and a library – for internal use only – available to technicians and scholars; the library contains a wealth of publications on local archaeology.

PARTNERSHIPS

We are currently collaborating with:

• University of Ferrara, authorised by the Superintendency with excavation permits for
  annual excavation campaigns on Monte Fenera
• University of Geneva
• Federico Resegotti Library, Borgosesia
• Valsesia Protected Areas Management Authority
• Sesia Valgrande Geopark Association
• Network of Small Museums in Valsesia

Tel.: 0163 020051
Email: museo.borgosesia@ruparpiemonte.it
Opening hours: Saturdays 3.00 pm – 6.00 pm
During the week by appointment ONLY
(events and special openings are announced on the website and social media channels)

GEO-TOPICS: palaeontology

LINK: Carlo Conti Museum