The exibition “I primi custodi della memoria. Le sepolture del Paleolitico.”, showcasing the collection of casts of Paleolithic burials from the Museum of Human Anatomy at UniTO, is open at Palazzo Bettoni (Piazza Bruno Boni, Brescia) from the 30th of April to the 21st of June. This exhibition represents an outstanding collaboration between the universities of the Alliance.
The casts of the Paleolithic era provide valuable insights into how populations of that time approached the death of a fellow human. Funerary practices offer a unique opportunity to explore the deeper elements of human thought during a period preceding the emergence of artistic expression.
The death rituals of the Paleolithic era were not driven by material necessities but by concerns of a different nature, often reflecting beliefs about the fate of an individual—or their body—after death. For this reason, they represent a significant milestone in the social history of humanity, shedding light on the life of the deceased and their community.
The inauguration took place on Wednesday, April 30th, in the presence of the Rector of the University of Brescia, Professor Francesco Castelli; the Rector of the University of Turin, Professor Stefano Geuna; Professor Giacomo Giacobini, Curator of the exhibition and Emeritus Professor at the University of Turin; Professor Angelo Mazzù, Project Coordinator and Full Professor of Mechanical Design and Machine Construction at the University of Brescia; and Associate Professor Irene Giustina, Professor of Architectural History at the University of Brescia and representative of the UNITA Cultural Heritage working group (hub).
The exhibition was first hosted by the University of Turin from January 16 to April 26, 2025. During this period, it welcomed over 6,400 visitors, averaging 75 attendees per day. The final day, Saturday, April 26, saw the highest attendance, with 508 visitors.
As a traveling exhibition, it will be hosted in turn by several universities within the UNITA Alliance, further strengthening collaboration and fostering shared cultural engagement among partner institutions.
The exhibition at the University of Brescia can be visited until June 21, 2025, from Monday to Friday, from 10:00 AM and 12:00 PM and from 2:30 PM to 4:30 PM.
