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The first paleontological museum in Ecuador

He Megatherium Paleontological Museum from the UPSE (Santa Elena Peninsula University) is the first and only museum specialized in paleontology in Ecuador. It was inaugurated in 2008 as a result of an unprecedented discovery on the Santa Elena Peninsula: the discovery in 2003 of fossil remains of the Eremotherium laurillardi, a giant ground sloth that inhabited the region that is now the province of Santa Elena in western Ecuador during the Late Pleistocene (between 50,000 and 8,000 years ago).

The discovery took place at the site of Loma Tank, considered one of the most important in South America for the study of prehistoric megafauna. This site has revealed exceptional fossils that allow us to reconstruct what the Ecuadorian coast was like at a time when enormous mammals, exotic plants, and microfauna coexisted in a unique ecosystem.


Featured Collections and Fossils

The museum houses a valuable paleontological collection, with pieces that have been prepared and displayed following international conservation and assembly standards.

Among its most notable fossils are:

  • Eremotherium laurillardi (Megatherium): a giant ground sloth weighing over 4 tons and standing up to 6 meters tall, whose reconstruction is the centerpiece of the museum.

  • American mastodon (Mammut americanum): a distant cousin of elephants, adapted to colder climates.

  • American Horse (Equus), extinct on the continent thousands of years ago.

  • Giant armadillo (Glyptodon), with its characteristic fossil shell.

  • Remains of glossotherium, microfauna, seeds and fossil wood, even from Antarctica.

Each piece on display includes detailed information that helps visitors understand the scientific and ecological importance of these remains.


A museum to learn and explore

He Megatherium Paleontological Museum It is also an active space for education and scientific outreach. Its goal is to provide students, researchers, tourists, and the general public with an interactive approach to the world of paleontology.

Activities and services available:

  • Guided tours with explanations adapted to the age and interests of the group.

  • Documentary screening, including the story of the discovery of Tanque Loma.

  • Educational talks and workshops on paleontology, geology and conservation.

The museum also conducts special activities with educational institutions and has hosted scientific symposia with national and international experts.


Conservation and care of the pieces

All fossils on display undergo conservation processes that include humidity and temperature control, preventative fumigation, and limited direct handling. This ensures that the fossil heritage remains in optimal condition for future generations.


Visits and access

Located in the city of La Libertad, on the UPSE campus, the museum is easily accessible and offers amenities such as free parking and Wi-Fi in some areas.
Schedules: Monday to Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Admission is open to tourists, families, researchers, and students from across the country and abroad.


Recognition and projection

Since its inauguration until 2020, the Megatherium Paleontological Museum has received more than 94,000 visitors, both in person and virtually. Its flagship site, Tanque Loma, remains a site of interest for paleontological studies and has attracted the attention of scientists from Ecuador, Chile, Argentina, and other countries.

The UPSE, as the managing institution, seeks to maintain this museum as a benchmark for research and cultural tourism in Ecuador, contributing to the preservation of fossil heritage and the education of new generations.


Why visit?

  • It is the the only specialized paleontological museum in Ecuador.

  • It houses one of the The most complete giant sloth skeletons in South America.

  • Offers educational activities for all ages.

  • It allows you to learn about a fascinating chapter in the country's natural history.


Highlight: He Eremotherium laurillardi The museum's interior is not only impressive in size, but its state of preservation makes it one of the most important paleontological jewels in South America, a source of pride for scientific activity in the province of Santa Elena, Ecuador.

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Google Reviews

4.5
431 reviews
  • R Nunez C.
    R Nunez C.
    6 months ago

    Excellent museum. It should have more advertising and signs at the University and along the street. It should also be open on Saturdays. Many thanks to the guide; I've visited several times, taking my grandchildren. A lovely day. Best regards.

  • Paulo García
    Paulo García
    6 years ago

    The entrance is from the gate closest to Santa Elena Peninsula State University. It's small but very interesting, with fossils dating back millions of years and animal bones several meters high.

  • Luis Bermudes
    Luis Bermudes
    2 years ago

    This is one of the two most important museums in the city of Santa Elena. It's located on the UPSE (Santa Elena Peninsula State University) campus and is currently known simply as the Megatherium Museum (megatheriums were the ancestors of today's sloths, except they were huge and moved on land, not in trees). The main exhibit is the almost complete skeleton of a megatherium that existed on what is now the peninsula. It's estimated that these animals became extinct a little over eight thousand years ago (meaning they existed at the time when humans already walked the earth). There are remains of other animals, and the museum is very educational. Several buses that leave from the terminal pass right by the campus, so getting there is very easy. There's no entrance fee, and you can go during office hours, Monday through Friday.

  • Ligia Vera Suarez
    Ligia Vera Suarez
    2 years ago

    Impressive, knowing about our Mega Fauna, its existence in our Region and how the University has endorsed it so that many of us appreciate it is gratifying.

  • DANNY SANTOS RODRIGUEZ

    Historical with a guide was spectacular, a place that should be exploited for tourism

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Attention schedule

  • Monday 08:00 - 17:00
  • Tuesday 08:00 - 17:00
  • Wednesday 08:00 - 17:00
  • Thursday 08:00 - 17:00
  • Friday 08:00 - 17:00
  • SaturdayClosed
  • SundayClosed

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