Lost Oceans: Marine Giants from the Age of Dinosaurs — exhibition at Kosmos, Pavia

Lost Oceans. Marine Giants from the Age of Dinosaurs

Where: Kosmos - Natural History Museum, University of Pavia
When: on display until 28 June 2026

About the exhibition

This exhibition traces the evolution of reproductive strategies and the marine ecosystems of ancient times, comparing fossil specimens and modern analogues. Through fossils, life-size reconstructions and informative panels, visitors learn how eggs, parental care and adaptations shaped marine life.

Exhibition highlights

• Historical-scientific context: the scientific legacy of Lazzaro Spallanzani and early reproductive studies, presented with clear, accessible interpretation.
• Fish reproductive output: displays that explain spawning strategies and extreme egg production in some species.
• Surprising strategies: reproductive behaviours of amphibians and cephalopods, including extreme maternal care in some octopus species.
• Conquest of land: the emergence of the amniotic egg that enabled vertebrates to reproduce away from water.
• Marine reptiles and live birth: reconstructions of ichthyosaurs, mosasaurs, plesiosaurs and giant turtles such as Archelon, with explanations of ovoviviparity and viviparity in marine reptiles.

Why visit

The exhibition combines paleontology, reproductive biology and ocean awareness, offering clear scientific content suitable for museum visitors, students and families interested in natural history and the critical role of oceans.

Practical information

Verify Kosmos museum opening hours and check for guided tours or educational programs. The exhibition is designed for a broad audience, with explanatory materials that make scientific topics accessible.