Origine e prospettive (Origin and and perspectives)

The MuCiv celebrates its origins by hosting the exhibition Origine e prospettive (Origin and perspectives): one hundred and fifty years ago, in 1876, the Prehistoric and Ethnographic Museum, founded by archaeologist Luigi Pigorini, was inaugurated in Rome. Today, the MUCIV-Museum of Civilizations, which has been its heir since 2016, returns to that founding moment not only, as we have said, to celebrate its origins, but also to share with visitors the perspectives opened up by the institution's rich history: a story that intertwines Italy's cultural history, international relations, and the disciplinary, ethical, and educational evolution of museums.

Open from March 20 to June 28, 2026, the exhibition offers a double itinerary: on the one hand, the reconstruction of the 1876 museum and Pigorini's museographic project; on the other, the presentation of the museum today, with two distinct itineraries focusing on prehistoric archaeology and ethnography and two installations dedicated to the processes of updating, increasing physical and cognitive accessibility, and the participatory practices implemented inside and outside the museum.

Through documents, artifacts, furnishings, and period display devices, the exhibition reconstructs the genesis of prehistoric archaeology and ethnography in Italy, retracing the transformations that led to the museum's current configuration and mission.

The exhibition is curated by Paolo Boccuccia and Camilla Fratini with Myriam Pierri, in collaboration with the Museum's officials and under the general supervision of Andrea Viliani.

Photo: official poster of the exhibition