BERLIN: FROM HUMBOLDT TO HVAC—THE ZOOLOGICAL COLLECTIONS OF THE MUSEUM FÜR NATURKUNDE LEIBNIZ INSTITUTE FOR EVOLUTION AND BIODIVERSITY SCIENCE IN BERLIN

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The zoological collections of the Museum fur Naturkunde comprise historic specimens predating the founding of the institution, series of well-dated specimens collected over its 200-year history as well as modern additions such as tissue samples and sound recordings of animals. Overall, the zoological collections are estimated to hold more than 25 million specimens that are accessed by scientists from the Museum fur Naturkunde and from around the world for research mainly in systematics and evolution. The zoological collections of the Museum fur Naturkunde have their roots in the Berlin University, which—founded in 1810—had included a zoological museum from the start. After a period of growth as the principal zoological museum in Prussia, this and other museums from the Berlin University were united under the roof of a purpose-built building in 1889. This new “Museum fur Naturkunde” underwent enormous growth in the following years, stemming both from expeditions and from acquisitions from the colonies. In World War II, the museum was affected by an air raid that left the eastern wing in ruins. This lasted until the bicentennial anniversary in 2010, when the eastern wing was reopened, now specially equipped for safely storing the vast wet collections in conjunction with a spectacular public insight into the collections. The reconstruction of other parts of the building will follow to provide up-to-date public galleries in conjunction with excellent storage for the invaluable collections. Being an institution that has combined scientific work with education and public outreach from the start, the zoological collections in the Museum fur Naturkunde with its numerous international relations and projects will serve these purposes in the future as a backbone of an excellent research museum.