It’s hard to believe there was a time when giant, prehistoric animals ruled the Earth. From megalodons to mammoths, the face of the planet looked very, very different to what it does now. But you won’t have to imagine it much longer. The immersive, touring exhibition, GIANTS, will make its UK debut in Birmingham on Saturday, August 2.
Visitors will encounter the awe-inspiring creatures that roamed the Earth after the extinction of the dinosaurs, from 66 million years ago to the present day. The exhibition features life-sized 3D models and nearly complete skeletons, alongside immersive projections to transport audiences into the natural habitats of these colossal beings.
What GIANTS can I see?
GIANTS will include the mightiest shark of all time, Otodus megalodon; Mammuthus primigenius, aka woolly mammoth, weighing between six and eight tons with long, thick fur and imposing tusks; and Gigantopithecus blacki, an Asian primate comparable in size to three orangutans. Other creatures include:
- Titanoboa cerrejonensis – The largest rainforest-dwelling snake.
- Paraceratherium – A prehistoric rhinoceros, the largest land mammal ever known.
- Livyatan melvillei – An ancient whale with massive teeth and a cousin of the sperm whale.
- Megatherium americanum – One of the largest giant sloth species.
- Smilodon populator – The largest and most iconic Sabre-toothed cat.
- Panthera spelaea – The cave lion, one of the largest felines to roam the Earth.
Interactive elements will also allow visitors of all ages to step into the shoes of palaeontologists and biologists, engaging with the scientific processes behind fossil discovery and reconstruction. You will learn not only about the context of their existence, but eventual extinction, too.
The exhibition also highlights Earth’s newest GIANTS, who have emerged more recently, such as elephants, rhinoceroses and whales, but who are now under threat of extinction too. Overall, it serves as a poignant reminder of nature’s fragility and the urgent need to protect these animals for future generations.
“This inspiring installation not only captures the imagination about the creatures of the past with its monumental scale but also delivers a vital message about sustainability and our shared responsibility to protect the planet for the future,” said Zak Mensah and Sara Wajid, co-chief executives of Birmingham Museums Trust. “Birmingham Museums is committed to using storytelling to engage communities with the challenges of our time and GIANTS does exactly that in a powerful and accessible way.”
When can I see this mammoth exhibition in Birmingham?
Developed by the Royal Belgian Institute of Natural Sciences and toured by Nomad Exhibitions, GIANTS will open at Birmingham Museum & Art Gallery from Saturday, August 2, until Sunday, November 2, in the Gas Hall. Tickets cost £15.50 for adults, but the family-friendly exhibition is free for children up to 15 years. You can learn more here.
Visitors aged 18+ can also experience exclusive after-hours access to the exhibition on Saturday, September 20—with object-handling of specimens and ‘meet the expert’ talks from the museum’s natural science curator and Dr Jack Cooper, palaeobiologist and shark expert. Tickets to GIANTS Late are £12 here.