Melbourne Museum's Hidden Wonders

0:00On March 17th, here's the latest out of Sydney. Melbourne Museum draws over 3 million visitors each year, but most people never see the real magic happening behind closed doors. About 70-90% of its collection stays hidden in storage rooms, labs, and workshops. These back areas house millions of specimens from ancient sea creatures to taxidermied animals, all preserved to fuel research and exhibits. Meanwhile, in the Marine Lab, experts like Collection Manager Melanie McKenzie sort through wet collections stored in ethanol. They classify newly discovered sea life, pulled from ocean voyages on ships like the investigator. These jars form a life library of over 4 million specimens, sumdating back to the 1700s, ready for DNA studies or loans to global researchers. Preparatoryers keep things looking sharp for display. They craft models, skeletons, and taxidermy, including the massive Asian elephant, Bong Su, from Melbourne Zoo. Handling items from 150 years ago means dealing with old hazards like arsenic,

1:05but modern tools like 3D printing help create, lifelike pieces, curators capture everyday history too. One, documents everything from football to social changes, collecting COVID-Area supermarket signs, and a brave girl's medal in purse from a 19-26 bushfire. At Tasmania's Museum, a curator rediscovered two of the world's only known bisected stamps from the 1830s. These hidden teams link our past to the future, ensuring stories and science endure. With constant growth and new finds, the work never stops sustaining the exhibits we love. DNA is sponsored by our partner. Check out the episode description. Some people meditate. I just lay down and press play. S-O-L-I-SoliPillow.com. Made in AI.