Situated on the slopes of Mount Greco, at an altitude of about 1,180 meters, the Scontrone Paleontological Documentation Center is a unique place that tells the story of an extraordinary territory, where animals that have now disappeared lived about 10 million years ago. Discovered in 1991, the fossiliferous site at Scontrone has returned perfectly preserved remains of terrestrial vertebrates in Lower Tortonian marls, making it one of the most significant deposits in Italy.
Inside the museum, visitors of all ages can marvel at exceptional finds such as the remains of ancient artiodactyls of the genus Hoplitomeryx, nicknamed “armed ruminants” because of the numerous horns and robust canines that characterized these unique animals. Scholars have identified several species of hoplitomericids, each adapted to a specific environment in this once isolated land, confirming the existence of an island between Abruzzi and Apulia during the Miocene.
In addition to the hoplitomeryx, fragments of marsh turtle shells, remains of land tortoises and even a crocodile jaw have been found at the site, evidence of the warm, humid climate that characterized this region millions of years ago. Prominent among the most curious finds are also remains of Deinogalerix, a giant primitive insectivore.
An even more immersive experience awaits those who walk the environmental geological trail that starts from the museum center: about 800 meters long, with 120 meters of elevation gain, the trail is enhanced by educational panels that tell the geological and environmental history of Scontrone, until it reaches the paleontological site proper. Here, during the good season and by reservation, visitors can directly observe the fossil remains in a specially equipped section.
The museum has interactive multimedia stations and a diorama that faithfully reconstructs ancient Miocene environments, providing a fascinating experience for families and scholars alike. In 1993, the site was recognized as being of special scientific interest by the Ministry of Cultural Heritage and Activities, obtaining protection under Italian law.
A testament to the importance of this heritage, in 2011 Scontrone hosted a prestigious international congress dedicated to the migration of Neogene vertebrates in the Mediterranean, which involved researchers from all over Europe and North America, consolidating the village’s role as a reference point for European paleontology.