Australian Museum

Introducing the next blockbuster at the AM, Machu Picchu & the Golden Empires of Peru, opening this summer! ⛰️ This incredible exhibition will have you marvelling at the wonders of ancient Peru, including the legendary Machu Picchu. Immerse yourself in the opulent history of the Andean people, with a glimpse into their daily lives, spiritual beliefs and extraordinary achievements. Upgrade your ticket and you’ll even have the chance to fly-through Machu Picchu yourself, with a VR experience transporting you to the mysterious city in the sky! Machu Picchu and the Golden Empires of Peru will be at the Australian Museum from Saturday 23 November 2024. Machu Picchu and the Golden Empires of Peru is presented in partnership with Neon Global, Museo Larco and the Ministry of Culture of Peru. Tickets are on sale NOW : https://bit.ly/3TZ2ErK #MachuPicchuAM

FrogID is on the move 🐸🚗 Our FrogID touring exhibition launches today in collaboration with Stockland, showcasing the diversity of Australian frogs and the vital role they play in our delicate ecosystem. Over 40% of amphibian species worldwide are currently threatened with extinction and here in Australia, at least four Australian frog species are officially classified as extinct. The FrogID Touring Exhibition provides practical and fun advice on how everyone can help conserve the future of frogs through citizen science. Stockland has partnered with the Australian Museum to bring this exhibition to centres around NSW and QLD. It's open in Stockland Shellharbour NSW from today until Sunday 4 May, 2025. Find out more and the full touring itinerary here: https://bit.ly/3Eb1DIg

Species of the week - Vicuña (Vicugna vicugna) 🦙 You might have thought that Alpacas (Vicugna pacos) and Llamas (Lama glama) look quite similar and until recently they were thought to be close relatives. Recent genetic studies, however, have found that Alpacas were domesticated from a different species altogether: the Vicuña. Vicuña spend their days in the grasslands of the Andes eating low grasses and endure freezing temperatures in the mountains at night. These beautiful animals are highly treasured for their incredibly soft wool, and in Inca society, this wool was reserved for royalty. Vicuña wool has fine air-filled fibres, giving it insulating properties to make it particularly warm. Learn more about Peruvian wildlife and its deep connection to Peruvian culture in our blockbuster exhibition, Machu Picchu and the Golden Empires of Peru, open now until May 11. Book your tickets here: https://bit.ly/3BDn7vJ 📸: Marshallhenrie, Wikimedia

It’s your last chance to see our Future Now exhibition at the AM. 🌱 This exhibition offers a glimpse into a hopeful future full of sustainable landscapes and innovative solutions. Whether you’re looking for small changes to make in your own home or larger-than-life solutions, Future Now will show you that there’s plenty of hope for tackling climate change in our communities. Future Now closes at the AM on Sunday 13 April, so be quick. ⏰ Find out more: https://bit.ly/3R8l1XV

Have you entered the 2025 Australian Museum Eureka Prizes yet? You have ONE WEEK left to get your entries in! ⏰ The Eureka Prizes are the country’s most comprehensive national science awards, recognising everything from research & innovation to school science. There are 20 prizes to enter and a prize pool of $200,000 to be shared between winners. 🏆 Be quick! Entries must close at 7pm (AEST) on Monday 14 April. Find out more: https://bit.ly/3AuWW4p

🌙 Did you know that the Chankillo Archaeoastronomical Complex is the world's oldest astronomy? This prehistoric site is located on the north-central coast of Peru. Built in 250-200 BCE, the complex has a line of 13 cube-shaped towers that can track key dates every year, like solstices and equinoxes, with an accuracy of 1-2 days. 📅 Join us in conversation with Professor Fred Watson AM, hosted by Professor of Architecture and host of ABC TV’s Grand Designs, Anthony Burke, to learn about the Chankillo Archaeoastronomical Complex, home to the oldest solar observatory in the world. The event will feature an Auslan interpreter. Find out more: https://bit.ly/4ibhzsc 📸: David Edgar via wikimedia

Species Of The Week - Common Lionfish 🦁🐟 If a lion is the king of the jungle, the Common Lionfish is undoubtedly the king of the ocean. Here's why it deserves the title. The Common Lionfish is famous for its 13 dorsal fin spines, all of which are venomous, including to humans. It is also a bold hunter that can blow water jets to confuse prey as it approaches, giving it a distinct advantage against its target. Lionfish use specialised swim bladder muscles that allow them to alter their centre of gravity to attack prey more effectively. If that's not worthy of the crown, then we're not sure what is. 👑 The Australian Museum is has several Lionfish in its collection. You can learn more about the proud Lionfish here: https://bit.ly/3WN35Fk

Today, we recognise #AutismAwarenessDay. We are determined to ensure that everyone can learn, explore and play at the AM. One of the programs we are particularly proud of is our Early Birds & Night Owls program, which provides tailored experiences for individuals who need reduced sensory museum visits. This year, our Early Birds & Night Owls programs were recognised at the Premier's Awards for 'Driving public sector diversity.' We are honoured to have been selected. We are proud to continue working to ensure the AM is accessible to all. We can't wait to have you visit us soon. Our next Night Owls event is on Friday 9 May 2025. Find out more: https://bit.ly/4lcRfAy 📸: Lyndal Irons

This year, we're taking a fresh spin on #AprilFoolsDay, and we're sharing the story of one foolish mistake made nearly a hundred years ago. The incredible Maitland Bar nugget is one of the only remaining documented gold nuggets found during the Gold Rush of 1887. It's also known as the Jubilee Nugget, for it was found in the year of Queen Victoria's Golden Jubilee. But this precious nugget was not so preciously minded, for it was shipped back to the New South Wales Treasury from an overseas exhibition in a Wells Fargo crate for safekeeping and then went missing. In 1956, an auditor searched the treasury only to discover the nugget still in the box it had been delivered in... Where it had been innocently used as impromptu cricket stumps by the staff. Luckily for us, this beautiful mineral has a second innings and is on display in the AM's Westpac Long Gallery. It's open daily and completely free. We bet it will bowl you over. 🏏 📸: Abram Powell

OBJECT SPOTLIGHT 🔎 | Pacopampa Stele, Chavin Culture, Formative Epoch (1250 BC – 1 AD) This stone stele is approximately 3,000 years old and was found in Pacopampa temple in Cajamarca, which is located in Peru’s northern highlands. In these temples of the Formative Epoch, carved monoliths gave form to sacred beings. This particular one depicts a female deity who takes on the features of a bird, feline and serpent. The bird represents the celestial world, the feline the earthly world and the serpent the underworld. These features indicate the deity is an all-powerful being encompassing the forces of the three worlds. In the centre of the stele is a spiral symbolising the sacred snail (Strombus) buried with community leaders. The shell offerings assure the deceased of a successful journey to the World of the Ancestors. You can see this incredible artefact on display at the AM in Machu Picchu and the Golden Empires of Peru, open at the AM until Sunday 11 May. Find out more: https://bit.ly/3BDn7vJ