The Paleontology Museum unfolds in the Tavrida cave, which welcomed visitors in Crimea in 2018, according to the Crimean Federal University press service through Interfax.
According to Vadim Titov, a senior researcher at the Scientific Speleological and Paleontological Complex Taurida Cave of the university, the opening year marked a rich accumulation of finds. The collection includes bones from ancient elephants, rhinos, and horses, along with other extinct inhabitants that once roamed the region.
Titov explained that the gathered material has been organized by animal taxa, and exhibits were selected for their scientific and exhibition value. Several items have undergone partial restoration to better illustrate past life in the cave’s ecosystem.
The next stage involves careful cleaning and preservation of the specimens. Each item will receive a unique code for future exhibitions and will be entered into the museum catalogue. It was noted that the initial finds have already been logged in the museum’s notebook for reference and study.
Titov also described plans for visitors and students to view many previously undiscovered specimens within the complex. An open fund storage will be established in the vault, allowing more access to researchers and learners alike.
In 2019 the Taurida cave yielded the discovery of new microorganism species, expanding the scientific interest surrounding the site and its hidden microbial diversity.
Overall, the Taurida Cave project at the Paleontology Museum emphasizes a growing collection strategy, rigorous taxonomy, and transparent accessibility to ongoing research. The work supports ongoing education and public engagement in paleontology, biology, and speleology. Attribution: Crimean Federal University press service via Interfax.