Exhibition guide
A. Naumann Elephants and the People of Lake Nojiri
The Naumann Elephant is a species of elephant found in Japan and some areas of China. They lived in Japan between 350,000 to 28,000 years ago.
Fossil researchers and artists cooperated to reconstruct based on the fossils excavated at Lake Nojiri.
・Length from the tusk to the tail: Approximately 6m
・Height to the shoulder: Approximately 2.8m
Together with the Naumann Elephant, the animal that represents the Ice Age of Japan is the Irish elk.
Because stone and bone tools left by the human beings that lived in the vicinity of Lake Nojiri during the ice age were found together with various fossils, Lake Nojiri is believed to be the hunting site for Naumann Elephants.
Reconstructed based on the fossils excavated at Lake Nojiri.
・ Shoulder Height : Approximately 1.7m
B. The 90,000 year-long history of Lake Nojiri
C. Enjoyable excavation at Lake Nojiri
Excavation of Lake Nojiri started in 1962 and has
continued up until now by enthusiasts throughout Japan.
People of all ages can take part by simply becoming member of the Nojiriko Association.
The fossils and remains exhibited in the museum
have been excavated by such people from all over Japan.
26,000 people have taken part in 21st excavation as of 2016
D. Experience corner
What does a real fossil feel like? In the experience corner, visitors can touch the fossils of a Naumann Elephant.