ONE OF THE LARGEST FOSSIL DONATIONS

In 2018, disaster struck the National Museum of Brazil in Rio. A devastating fire almost consumed the 200-year-old museum and its 20 million artifacts. However, hope perseveres, and GRANADA plays a significant role in this.

Almost 2 months ago, a donation of over 1,100 fossils from the private collection of Dr. Burkhard Pohl was unveiled at the Museu Nacional in Rio de Janeiro. GRANADA & Interprospekt Group are proud to have played a role in orchestrating this important donation, together with Frances Reynolds and her foundation Inclusartiz.

The Museum tragically burned down in 2018, in a devastating fire that destroyed nearly 90% of it’s collection. We hope this donation will inspire other collectors and institutions to follow suit and help rebuild a comprehensive collection of natural and archaeological treasures.

Dr. Kellner, director of the Museu Nacional, said, “This is the single most important donation the museum has ever received and is of immeasurable scientific value.” Dr. Pohl added, “A collection is a living organism that needs to evolve. A collection that is locked away is a dead collection. 

I strongly believe that specimens like these should be available to science and for public display.

In addition to the fossils, GRANADA/Interprospekt Group has established a partnership with the MNUJR that includes an ongoing exchange of students and scientists to conduct collaborative research projects in the United States.

Last year, a group of six paleontologists and students were invited to Wyoming and Montana to begin excavating dinosaur specimens that could later be added to the National Museum’s collection. They also visited the Wyoming Dinosaur Center, where they were able to further study fossil specimens from the collection of Dr. Burkhard Pohl.

We are pleased to be able to support the Museu Nacional in its path towards reopening, once again underlining the importance of close cooperation between private collectors, initiatives and public institutions.

We would like to express our gratitude to Alexander Kellner and the MNUFJR, Frances Reynolds and Inclusartiz, as well as the dedicated scientists, researchers, and production teams for making this special collaboration possible.