150 Years of the Museum of Civilizations: exhibition and conference on origins and future

150 years of museum history: the exhibition project

To mark the 150th anniversary of the Museum of Prehistory and Ethnography founded by Luigi Pigorini in 1876, the MUCIV - Museum of Civilizations presents an exhibition that contrasts the institution's origins with its present-day identity. Curated by Paolo Boccuccia and Camilla Fratini with Myriam Pierri and under the supervision of Andrea Viliani, the show is hosted in the Sala delle Colonne at the Palazzo delle Arti e Tradizioni Popolari.

Exhibition layout

"Origin and Perspectives. From Luigi Pigorini’s Museum of Prehistory and Ethnography to the Museum of Civilizations: history of a museum (1876-2026)" unfolds through two complementary routes that reconstruct the original museographic project and document subsequent transformations up to contemporary practices.

• A historical section with restored showcases displaying artifacts, period documents, library volumes and photographic material to reconstruct the museum's 1876 arrangement.
• A contemporary section presenting two distinct strands (Prehistoric Archaeology and Ethnography) and site-specific installations demonstrating co-design and participatory practices with communities, created by studio 2050+ and artist Shimabuku.
• An ending section focused on recent research trends: intercultural and multisensory approaches and the influence of digital technologies on museography.

Scientific conference and aims

The exhibition is accompanied by the international conference 150_100, dedicated to the 150th anniversary of the institution and the centenary of Luigi Pigorini's death. The event aims to turn the anniversary into a critical moment to revisit the emergence of prehistoric archaeology and ethnography in Italy and to debate current museum practices.

Why visit

• To learn about the origins of the Museum of Prehistory and Ethnography and how its museographic concept has evolved.
• To see the interaction between historical display methods and contemporary approaches to inclusion, accessibility and co-creation.
• To follow the conference debates and critical reflections on the museum's mission today.

Main dates: the exhibition runs from 20 March to 28 June 2026; the conference takes place from 19 to 21 March 2026.

For practical information on opening hours, tickets and guided tours, please refer to the museum's official website or institutional channels.