Mammoth Hugs at Saffron Walden Museum

The as-yet un-named mammoth was inspired by a mammoth tusk in the museum's collections, discovered nearby in a gravel pit alongside Walden Road. Fossils show that woolly mammoths were roaming around the area around 35,000 years ago. The mammoth head is on display alongside the mammoth tusk and teeth in the prehistory gallery, and ready and waiting to give hugs to visitors.

The mammoth head was created as a community art project facilitated by Charlotte Pratt, the museum's learning and outreach officer.

Charlotte: "Our mammoth has been a real joint effort between staff, volunteers and visitors throughout the summer. It's made mostly from recycled materials and is a real testament to community and teamwork.

"I would like to thank everyone who helped make it happen - from our younger visitors who helped with papier-mâché and sticking on hair, to our grown-up visitors who chatted with me about how best to make the tusks, and of course my colleagues and volunteers who collected materials and spent hours helping me felt the wool for his coat. I hope everyone will come and have their photo taken with the newest member of the team!"

The mammoth head joins a large array of interactives at the museum, including explorer backpacks, archaeology sand pit, upgraded digital microscope and the recently added Romin Roman dressing-up station.

Charlotte added: "We are working hard to continue to improve our museum to make it an even greater place for families to explore. The team is bursting with ideas to keep improving visitor experience, so why not join us with a season ticket so you can pop back regularly to see what's new."

The museum will soon be inviting entries to a "Name that Mammoth" competition - so get your thinking caps on! Mammoth McMammoth Face, perhaps?

(Picture: Museum staff installing the mammoth)

(Picture: Visitors having a mammoth hug)

(Picture: Visitors having a mammoth hug)

20 September 2024