MTA Tabiat Tarihi Müzesi, Natural history museum in Çukurambar district, Turkey
The MTA Natural History Museum is a natural history museum in Ankara that presents thousands of geological and paleontological objects across multiple floors. The collection includes minerals, rocks, and fossils primarily sourced from Turkish territory.
The institution was founded in 1968 as part of the Mineral Research and Exploration Directorate, which was established in 1935 during Turkey's early state reforms. Its creation was closely tied to scientific objectives for exploring the country's mineral resources and geological wealth.
The museum showcases fossils and minerals that position Turkey as an important center for natural science. Regular exhibitions and lectures here emphasize the role of geology and paleontology in understanding local natural history.
The museum is open Tuesday through Sunday and is located in Ankara, easily accessible by public transportation. Visitors should plan to spend several hours exploring the different exhibition areas thoroughly.
The museum holds a moon rock brought back by an astronaut and a complete Allosaurus skeleton, specimens visitors rarely encounter elsewhere. These extraordinary pieces set the collection apart from typical institutions.
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