The Leviathan and the Sirens

A new exhibition entitled Leviathan and the Sirens enriches the Palaeontological Museum of Asti, presenting to the public some of the most important fossil finds of cetaceans found in Piedmont, with specimens of exceptional scientific value, in some cases unique in the world.

Absolute protagonist of the route is the sperm whale of Vigliano, about 10 metres long, discovered in 1929 and never exhibited before. At the time of its discovery, the fossil was interpreted by locals as the skeleton of a legendary “sea snake”, nurturing suggestions and folk tales.

The exhibition continues with two more previously unpublished exhibits: the Montiglio dugong and a delphinid belonging to the zyphid family, from the Pliocene sands found in 1954 around Vigliano d'Asti. Also on display is one of the museum's rarest and most fascinating treasures, the Tersilla whale, globally unique find and the oldest whale in the Mediterranean, found in Moleto and dating from around 19 million years ago.