The first report of the Estanzuela paleontological site comes from the German geologist Karl Sapper in the 1940s. However, it wasn’t until 1950, through reports from Dr. Barnum Brown and Jorge Ibarra, that the first excavations were carried out.
Central America, and specifically Guatemala, was a key passage for what scientists call the «great fossil migration,» where some species from South America are believed to have migrated northward and vice versa. Estanzuela holds tangible evidence of this migration.
Later, in 1971, Bryan Patterson and Ing. Roberto Woolfolk conducted rescue paleontological research, where fossil remains were found. Due to the importance of these remains, it was deemed necessary to establish a museum for their proper display. On June 27, 1974, by the initiative of Ing. Woolfolk—discoverer, rescuer, restorer, and assembler of fossil species—the museum was officially inaugurated, and since then, it has been under the administration of the Guatemalan Institute of Tourism (INGUAT).
Collection
The museum displays several specimens of animals that lived during the Cenozoic era in Guatemala, such as mastodons, sloths, and giant armadillos, among others. It also houses a collection of archaeological objects from the Maya culture of the region.
Services
The museum offers guided tours for tourist and school groups. There are stores where visitors can purchase regional crafts, and it also provides tourist information about the country.
The museum features exhibition areas for Nature and Culture displays, complementing the visit to the museum.
Projects
Currently, the museum is in the process of preparing architectural re-adaptation and landscaping of the building’s exterior. The museum offers a glimpse into Guatemala’s past, focusing on animals that lived in the country about 30,000 years ago and became extinct approximately 10,000 years ago.
The museum starts with information about the formation of the Earth and continents, followed by details on the fossilization process. During the tour, visitors will encounter brief notes on the history of the museum and a small biography of Ing. Roberto Woolfolk Saravia, the researcher responsible for preserving these fossils.
The exhibit also covers the origin of life in the sea, the evolution of certain animals into amphibians, and the transition to terrestrial life.
The display is complemented by an introduction to the Maya culture of the region, through the exhibition of various archaeological objects of great cultural and historical value.
According to museum information, approximately 25,000 people visit each year.
Address: Kilometer 141, Barrio El Museo, Estanzuela, Zacapa
Phone: +502 3348-3502
Email: museo.estanzuela@inguat.gob.gt
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