geological history of the Anagni Basin including paleon- tological and archaeological findings, which represent the evolution of the territory through the Quaternary. The museum aspires to become a key cultural reference for the region, rooted in a town already re- nowned for its historical importance. Anagni, a major center for medieval studies (e.g., the 1303 “Schiaffo di Anagni” [literally, “the slap of Anagni”], when King Philip IV of France clashed with Pope Boniface VIII, leading to the Pope’s brief imprisonment by Sciarra Colonna, also offers a remarkable window into the history of Earth and human evolution. Its surrounding territory holds excep- tional paleontological findings and evidence of early human presence, spanning the last two million years. The primary objective of the MAE is twofold: to consolidate its status as a cultural pole and resource for the municipality of Anagni, and to integrate its famous medieval heritage with that of its deeper past. A signifi- cant proportion of the findings exhibited at the MAE comes from numerous excavations in the area surround- ing Anagni. These excavations have yielded a substan- tial number of finds attributable to fossil Homo popula- tions, all located within the Sacco Valley, which contains Available online http://amq.aiqua.it ISSN (print): 2279-7327, ISSN (online): 2279-7335 Alpine and Mediterranean Quaternary, 38 (1), 2025, 31-43 https://doi.org/10.26382/AMQ.2025.02 1. INTRODUCTION The Museo Archeologico Ernico (MAE) of Anagni (Frosinone) is a new and significant cultural institution dedicated to the preservation and promotion of the rich archaeological and paleontological heritage of the sur- rounding territory. The scientific and exhibition design project for the MAE's ground and first floors begun in March 2022 and culminated in its inauguration on May 10, 2023. This goal was achieved through close collabo- ration between the Ministry of Culture, the Superintend- ency of Archaeology, Fine Arts and Landscape (SABAP, Soprintendenza Archeologia, Belle arti e Paesaggio) for the provinces of Frosinone and Latina and the Munici- pality of Anagni, through a scientific partnership with Sapienza University of Rome. The collaboration was coordinated by researchers, and professionals in rele- vant fields from the Department of Earth Sciences of Sapienza University (Fig. 1). The exhibition was organized in eight thematic rooms maintaining the pre-existing layout of the first two floors of the museum building. The thematic journey of the MAE focuses on the THE MUSEO ARCHEOLOGICO ERNICO OF ANAGNI (FROSINONE, ITALY): A NEW PALEONTOLOGICAL AND PALEOANTHROPOLOGICAL EXHIBITION IN THE “CITY OF THE POPES” Jacopo Conti1,2,3, Serena Vona3, Marco Germani3, Alessio Iannucci4,3, Dawid A. Iurino5,3, Beniamino Mecozzi6,3, Mattia Yuri Messina8,3, Alfio Moscarella3, Marta Pioggia3, Flavia Strani7,3, Raffaele Sardella2,3 1 Polo Museale, Sapienza Università di Roma, Roma, Italy. 2 Dipartimento Scienze della Terra, Sapienza Università di Roma, Roma, Italy. 3 PaleoFactory Laboratory, Dipartimento Scienze della Terra, Sapienza Università di Roma, Roma, Italy. 4 Department Geosciences, Terrestrial Palaeoclimatology, Eberhard Karls University of Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany. 5 Dipartimento Scienze della Terra ‘Ardito Desio’, Università degli Studi di Milano, Milano, Italy. 6 Dipartimento Biologia Ambientale, Sapienza Università di Roma, Roma, Italy. 7 Departamento Ciencias de La Tierra, IUCA, Universidad de Zaragoza, Zaragoza, Spain. 8 Dipartimento Scienze Chimiche e Geologiche, Università degli Studi di Cagliari, Monserrato (CA), Italy. Corresponding author: Jacopo Conti ABSTRACT: Opened in May 2023, the Museo Archeologico Ernico (MAE) in Anagni, Italy, is a newly established institution dedi- cated to preserving and showcasing the archeological and paleontological heritage of the Anagni Basin (southern Latium). This paper presents an overview of the museum's scientific and exhibition design, developed through a collaborative partnership be- tween the Ministry of Culture, the Superintendency for the provinces of Frosinone and Latina, and the Municipality of Anagni, un- der the scientific coordination of Sapienza University. The MAE highlights significant discoveries from key Pleistocene sites in the Sacco Valley, including the Early Pleistocene fauna of Coste San Giacomo and the Middle Pleistocene hominin and faunal re- mains from Fontana Ranuccio. The exhibition, organized in eight thematic rooms, focuses on human evolution, geological and climatic dynamics, paleontological and archaeological research methods. Beyond its role as an exhibition space, the MAE aims to serve as a pivotal cultural and scientific institution, fostering local collaboration and implementing strategic initiatives to boost visi- tor engagement and promote the valorization of the rich archaeological and paleontological heritage of the Sacco Valley. With its modern infrastructure, the museum promotes accessibility, integration, and the use of innovative technologies, making it a signifi- cant resource for both academic research and public education. Keywords: Pleistocene, Paleontological and archaeological heritage, Science Museum, Anagni Basin, Human evolution. mailto:jacopo.conti@uniroma1.it Fontana Ranuccio and Coste San Giacomo two of Ita- ly's most important localities for the study of the Quater- nary (Cassoli & Segre Naldini, 1984; Segre & Ascenzi, 1984; Segre Naldini et al., 2009; Bellucci et al., 2012, 2014; Angelucci et al., 2023). 2. THE GEOLOGICAL AND PALEOANTHROPOLOGI- CAL CONTEXT OF THE SACCO VALLEY The Valle Latina (Latin Valley) is a tectonic depres- sion located in southern Latium, extending from Rome to Cassino along the course of the Sacco river. It is bounded to the east by the Lepini and Volsci Mountains, composed primarily of Mesozoic carbonate succes- sions, and to the west by the Ernici Mountains (Cretaceous-Miocene). During the Apennine Orogeny, these formations were subjected to compressive stress and thrusting, with significant phases of tectonic com- pression during the Miocene and Pliocene (Carrara et al., 1995; Sani et al., 2004; Pereira et al., 2018) (Fig. 2). During the Pleistocene, the region experienced an extensional phase that led to the formation of several intramontane basins. The infilling of these depressions generated the Quaternary continental successions of the area, predominantly composed of fluviolacustrine deposits such as gravels, sands, clays, and silts, as well as pyroclastic layers sourced from volcanic centers ac- tive in the central Latin Valley between approximately 700,000 and 250,000 years ago. The most prominent of these intramontane basins is the Anagni Basin, covering an area of roughly 20 km² (Pereira et al., 2018). What grants this basin its scientific relevance is the paleontological record preserved within its continental stratigraphy a record that reconstructs the Quaternary history of central Italy through multiple phases. Re- nowned sites of this territory are Coste San Giacomo, Fontana Ranuccio, Colle Marino and Ceprano. 2.1. The site of Coste San Giacomo (CSG) Discovered in 1978 and dated approximately to 2.2 million years ago, the site of Coste San Giacomo is one of the most important Italian and European localities containing vertebrate faunas from the middle Villafran- chian of the Early Pleistocene (Palombo et al., 2003). The site's stratigraphy reveals an initial fluvial-torrential phase, followed by lacustrine deposits and finally fluvial and continental layers. These sedimentary conditions enabled the preservation of fossil remains, especially within sandy and clayey layers (Bellucci et al., 2012, 2014; Florindo et al., 2021). The site of Coste San Giacomo yielded a diverse vertebrate fauna, including especially large but also 32 Conti J. et al. Fig. 1 - External view of the MAE (Museo Archeologico Ernico), Anagni, Latium. spanned from forests to open grasslands (Cassoli & Segre Naldini, 1993; Strani et al., 2018; Bona & Strani, 2021; Conti et al., 2021; Alberdi et al., 2024). Human remains attributable to Homo heidelbergensis, the pre- sumed common ancestor of Homo sapiens and Homo neanderthalensis - have also been recovered, alongside numerous flint tools, indicating prehistoric human activi- ty at the site and four teeth (Segre & Ascenzi, 1984; Rubini et al., 2014, Zanolli et al., 2018; Grimaldi et al., 2020; Angelucci et al., 2023). Fontana Ranuccio is an- other reference locality for a European Land Mammal biochronological scheme, giving the name to one of the Galerian Faunal Units around 400.000 years ago; (see Iannucci & Sardella, 2023, for discussion). 2.3. The Ceprano Cranium Another site worth mentioning located near the Anagni Basin is Ceprano, where a Middle Pleistocene human fossil was found by Mr. Italo Biddittu in 1994, during road construction work. The specimen consists of fragments found in a layer of clay, hence the name “Argil” (clay in Italian) which constitutes a cranial vault (calvarium) representing an archaic human form charac- terized by a low, thick cranial dome and a strongly de- veloped supraorbital torus (Ascenzi et al., 1996, 2000; Manzi et al., 2001; Di Vincenzo et al., 2017; Buzi et al., 2021). Overall, the fossil displays a mosaic of morphologi- cal features that appear transitional between Homo erectus and Homo heidelbergensis, suggesting it may represent an archaic form of the latter species. Dated between 430,000 and 385,000 years ago, the Ceprano Cranium is one of the oldest hominin remains (even if partial) discovered in Italy. Its significance lies in the insights it provides into early human evolution on the continent, particularly regarding dispersal dynamics and diversification of prehistoric populations in Italy and across Europe (Manzi, 2016; Buzi et al., 2021). small mammals, and amphibians (Bellucci et al., 2012, 2014, 2024; Bona et al., 2015; Strani et al., 2015; Pal- ombo et al., 2017; Villa et al., 2021). For instance, sever- al carnivorans are present at Coste San Giacomo, namely Canis etruscus, Pliocrocuta perrieri, Martellictis ardea, Ursus sp. and Vulpes alopecoides. The site docu- ments one of the earliest European occurrences of the hippo Hippopotamus sp., the coexistence of the masto- don Anancus arvernensis and the mammoth Mammu- thus meridionalis, and the largest European sample of the vole Mimomys pliocaenicus (Bona et al., 2015; Bel- lucci et al., 2024; Iannucci et al., 2023). For its im- portance, Coste San Giacomo has been taken as repre- sentative of a Faunal Unit, the last of the middle Vil- lafranchian recognized in the Italian Peninsula, playing a key role in the correlation of the Gelasian continental paleontological sites of Europe (Gliozzi et al., 1997; Bel- lucci et al., 2014; Iannucci et al., 2023). 2.2. The site of Fontana Ranuccio Fontana Ranuccio represents a markedly different phase of the Pleistocene. The site was discovered in 1976 during quarrying activities. Excavations, primarily led by the Istituto Italiano di Paleontologia Umana (IsIPU), uncovered a Pleistocene fauna and human re- mains initially dated to c. 450 ka, based on the 40K/39Ar dating performed by Biddittu et al. (1979) and subse- quently redated at c. 400 ka with the 40Ar/39Ar technique (Pereira et al., 2018). The sedimentary context is primarily volcanic, with stratigraphy composed of lapilli and scoria within a ma- trix of pedogenised colluvial sands. The fossiliferous layers also exhibit iron-rich diagenetic crusts indicative of post-depositional processes. Notable faunal remains include carnivorans such as Panthera sp. Crocuta crocu- ta, Canis mosbachensis, the presence of Macaca sylva- nus and the archaic form of cave bear Ursus deningeri. The presence of Stephanorhinus sp. and Equus cf. E. mosbachensis, suggesting a range of habitats that 33 The Museo Archeologico Ernico of Anagni (Frosinone, Italy): A New ... Fig. 2 - Reference map of the Latina Valley showing the locations of archaeological sites Fontana Ranuccio, Cava Pompi (C. Pompi), Cam- pogrande (CG), Isoletta, and Lademagne. Black triangles indicate the main volcanic centres. From Pereira et al., 2018. 3. THE MUSEO ARCHEOLOGICO ERNICO (MAE): A HUB FOR RESEARCH AND OUT- REACH, BETWEEN PAST AND PRESENT The exhibition is located on the ground and first floor of the museum building located in Pi- azza Guglielmo Marconi, in the historic center of Anagni. On the first floor, the exhibition route encompasses geo-paleontological, paleoanthro- pological, and archaeological thematic sections. For each of these sections the exhibited speci- mens were selected to explore the main themes of the exhibitions with a particular focus on the geologic evolution of the region and its ecosys- tems changes over the last 2 million years. To fully leverage the potential of the muse- um's spaces, the museological team conducted a comprehensive analysis of the existing struc- ture. This involved not only an inventory of the available areas but also a detailed assessment of potential exhibition flow and critical emergen- cy egress routes (Fig. 3). Concurrently with the museological planning, a virtual tour of the des- ignated zones was developed. This digital mod- el facilitated real-time visualization of the muse- ological team's design choices, enabling more effective coordination with the museography team responsible for the physical implementa- tion of the exhibition. The central idea of the exhibition is to place the Anagni basin in a broader temporal context. This broadens the field of observation, going beyond the narrow focus on individual paleo-archaeological sites to embrace the over- all evolution of the territory up to the present day. The understanding of the archaeological and paleontological discoveries in this area is enhanced by the recognition of the work of past scholars over the last century and the ongoing research of current specialists. To emphasize this, a dedicated room in the museum illustrates the evolution and modern methods used in pale- ontological and archaeological research (Room 8). This approach not only honors the long- standing research efforts in the region but also imbues the finds with educational and engaging significance that extends beyond their purely scientific importance. 3.1. The Museum structure Considering the museum's structural organization across two levels, the visitor experience on the first floor unfolds through a series of thematically distinct rooms, each showcasing significant finds that highlight the ar- chaeological, paleontological and geological richness of the region (Fig. 4). The first room "The Museum, Anagni and its histo- ry”, serves as an introduction to the museum and the Anagni city. A central display shows a partial cranium of Bos primigenius with its impressive horn cores. This space acts as a crucial orientation point, clearly sign- posting the subsequent anthropological and geological- paleontological sections. The journey into human origins starts in the sec- ond room "Introduction to Human Evolution", where key regional discoveries are presented in triangular show- cases: a cast of the Ceprano cranium, a fossilized hyena humerus and some lithic tools from Colle Marino, evi- dence of a human presence in the area around 650,000 years ago (Angelucci et al., 2023). Adjacent to this showcase, a cast of the so called "chimera", a virtual reconstruction of a hypothetical Homo heidelbergensis, created by multiple specimens and digital modelling (Profico et al., 2019) offers a tangible view into this an- cient ancestor's morphology. Explanatory panels contex- tualize these finds within the broader narrative of human evolution and the scientific methodologies employed in their study (Fig. 5). Room 3, "Human Evolution”, adopts a visually en- gaging approach, presenting human ancestry as a com- plex genealogical tree. At its center, a semi-circular ped- 34 Fig. 3 - Exhibit examples at MAE. (a) Skull of Bos primigenius placed in the showcase donated by BancaAnagni. (b,c) Examples of triangular showcases displaying exhibits in the various rooms. Conti J. et al. 35 Fig. 4 - Museum's ground and first floors ayout, detailing exhibition and service areas: (01) The Museum, Anagni and its history; (02) Intro- duction to Human Evolution; (03) Human Evolution; (04) Geology and Climate; (05) The Coste San Giacomo Site; (06) The Fontana Ra- nuccio Site - Part 1: Environment and Fauna; (07) The Fontana Ranuccio Site - Part 2: Humans and Tools; (08) The Middle Pleistocene Environment. The Museo Archeologico Ernico of Anagni (Frosinone, Italy): A New ... 36 estal displays a carefully curated selection of eight crani- al casts representing the most known hominin species, illustrating the morphological changes over millions of years. A global map highlights key hominin discoveries worldwide, while a floor-level depiction of the evolution- ary tree (Fig. 6) spatially connects these ancestral forms. The deepness of the temporal context is estab- lished in Room 4, "Geology and Climate”. Here, two triangular showcases present stratigraphic and miner- alogical samples that shed light on the geological forces that shaped the southern Latium area and the principles of fossil dating. Explanatory panels detail the region's dynamic geology, the science of stratigraphy, and the significant climatic fluctuations of the Quaternary period, providing the essential backdrop for understanding the fossil records. The paleontological site of Coste San Giacomo (CSG) is discussed in Room 5, "The Coste San Giaco- mo Site". Showcases present key fossils from this 2.2 million year old Early Pleistocene site, including a tooth of Homotherium, the saber tooth cat, along with a 3D print cast of the Homotherium latidens cranium further enhances visitor inclusive experience. Panels detail the site's discovery and multidisciplinary research, revealing a unique faunal assemblage including early occurrences Fig. 5 - A close-up view of the 'chimera', a virtual reconstruction of Homo heidelbergensis, as exhibited in Room 2. The back- ground features explanatory panels and an artistic rendering of a possible female individual of this hominin specie. Fig. 6 - View of Room 3 showcasing eight cranial casts representing key hominin species, arranged in front of a world map detailing signifi- cant global finds categorized by species. The foreground displays a stylized representation of the human evolutionary tree, illustrating the history of our ancestors. Conti J. et al. of the genus Hippopotamus and Canis etruscus, alongside the coexistence of Anancus arvernensis and Mammuthus meridionalis emphasized by an animated video created by one of the authors (M.Y.M.), which vividly reconstructs the CSG envi- ronment and its fauna (Fig. 7). Room 6, "The Fontana Ranuccio Site - Part 1: Environment and Fauna", introduces another crucial site of the Valle del Sacco Basin, dating approximately 400,000 years ago. Showcases display the diverse large mammal fauna species identified at the site, offering a glimpse into the Middle Pleistocene biodiversity. 3D prints of cave lion (Panthera spelaea), hyena cranial casts and several 1:1 images of the animals “in vita” illustrat- ed by one of the authors (F.S.), (Fig. 8) provides detailed morphological insights of the species found. Panels narrate the site's discovery, the re- search done during those years and the results obtained, such as the paleoenvironmental recon- struction, based on pollen and fossil analyses, which reveals a landscape of grasslands and woodlands inhabited by species such as Palae- oloxodon antiquus, Stephanorhinus hemitoechus, Hippopotamus amphibius, and the early aurochs (Bos primigenius), alongside predators like the cave lion and Deninger's bear (Ursus deningeri). The human presence at Fontana Ranuccio is the focus of Room 7, "The Fontana Ranuccio Site - Part 2: Humans and Tools". Four significant hu- man teeth discovered at the site digitalized by optical scanner and print in resin are shown in the room (Fig. 9). Another showcase presents a re- markable biface, made with elephant, alongside numerous retouched stone flakes, illustrating the sophisticated Mode 2 Acheulean technology em- ployed. A pedestal highlights "small tools", refined flakes likely used for precision tasks. Panels dis- cuss the importance of human dental remains 37 Fig. 8 - Reproduction of the extinct species represented in the museum. From left to right: Clacton fallow deer, Middle Pleistocene red deer, Praemegaceros, aurochs, Middle Pleistocene horse, Stephanorhinus. Shoulder height of red deer: around 1.20 m. The Museo Archeologico Ernico of Anagni (Frosinone, Italy): A New ... Fig. 7 - Three frames of the videomapping showing the paleoenvironmental reconstruction of Costa San Giacomo and the detail of Homotherium. cance. Crafting this regional overview required a consid- erable amount of synthesis, as the team was tasked with selecting the essential information necessary to convey the area's central role in the development of paleoanthropological research. The challenge lay in condensing a complex scientific narrative into an intelli- gible and compelling format, without losing the richness and depth of the content. To achieve this, the panels integrate both thematic breadth and disciplinary depth. They provide foundation- al educational content on a range of topics, including paleoanthropology, stratigraphy, human evolution, virtu- al paleontology, the role of climate change as a key driver of evolutionary processes and the methods used in archaeological and paleontological excavation, offer- ing visitors an understanding of the scientific processes behind the findings exhibited. This multifaceted ap- proach was designed to engage a diverse audience - one that includes general visitors who may not have a specialized academic background - by equipping them with the conceptual tools necessary to appreciate the exhibits in their broader scientific context. Alongside the selection of relevant content, an equally significant phase of the project was the editorial process. In close collaboration with the authors of the texts, the editorial team worked to streamline the lan- guage, eliminating redundant or overly technical pas- sages that could hinder comprehension. A deliberately simple and linear syntax was adopt- ed to enhance the readability of the texts and to ensure that even complex scientific ideas could be easily grasped. This careful editing phase was not merely a refinement of style, but a deliberate effort to align with the museum’s commitment to cultural accessibility and cultural democracy. The texts were thus restructured and revised to ensure that scientific knowledge could be transmitted clearly, accurately, and inclusively - qualities essential to fostering informed public engagement. It was through continuous dialogue and mutual respect for both scientific rigor and communicative clarity that the final product emerged: a set of interpretive panels that are dense with information yet accessible to all (Fig. 11). 4. MAE: OPENING, DEVELOPMENTS, AND FUTURE PROSPECTIVES Since its inauguration on 10 May 2023, the MAE initially opened on weekends with free admission for several months, or upon specific requests from school groups or volunteers from the Anagni Proloco. In December 2023, the Anagni Municipal Admin- istration established crucial guidelines for the museum's initial phase, focusing exclusively on the first floor dedi- cated to the Archeo-paleontological (Resolution No. 39 of December 21, 2023). The administration gave key directives for an initial phase concentrated on develop- ing the Archeo-paleontological section, highlighting the importance of an intensive promotional strategy and cautious management of museum services. The intro- duction of essential services, such as web marketing strategies, data collection, guided tour management, and educational support, has optimized the museum's attractiveness and daily operation. February 2024 marked a turning point with the signing of a contract (lasting 10 months) with the com- pany Archeoares snc for the direct assignment of ser- vices specified in a previous resolution. Despite the lack within the European Middle Pleistocene record and dis- cuss the raw materials and production techniques of the lithic industry. Finally, Room 8, "The Middle Pleistocene Environ- ment", offers an immersive experience. A dedicated space introduces virtual paleontology, showcasing its applications through videos and 3D-printed animal cra- nia and many large panels depict the megafauna of the preceding rooms (Iurino et al., 2013, 2022; Cherin et al., 2018). Using existing trapdoors with walkable glass, some simulated fossil finds, excavation tools, and lithic casts are displayed from a unique "bottom-up" perspec- tive. At the end of the exhibition path, a reconstructed excavation surface provides a tangible representation of archaeological practice, further detailed in an adjacent panel. A life-size, double-sided cutout of Palaeoloxodon antiquus offers a striking encounter with an iconic spe- cies of this period (Fig. 10). 3.2. The informative panels: objectives and contents In designing the museum’s informational panels, the curatorial team worked from the outset with the ob- jective of promoting the museum as a cultural and scien- tific reference point for the territory it represents. The content of the panels has been developed to offer visi- tors not only a general introduction to the geo- paleontological and archaeological characteristics of the area, but also to illuminate the broader scientific signifi- cance of the southern Lazio region, whose contributions to the history of paleontology are of worldwide signifi- 38 Fig. 9 - Digitization of human dental remains from the Fontana Ranuccio site, held at the Anthropological Service of the S.B.A.L. (Italian Ministry of Culture), and subsequent resin printing for public display. (a) virtual model acquired by optical scanner. (b) Resin print of a Fontana Ranuccio tooth. On the left a resin model magnified in dimensions enlarged to enhance its morphological characteristics, on bottom two of the four printed and painted human teeth, on the right, a PLA-printed human cranium is displayed, featuring highlighted teeth that represent the actual dental finds from the Fontana Ranuccio site. This presentation aims to improve comprehension of the specific teeth unearthed: an incisor, a canine, and two molars. Conti J. et al. 39 Fig. 10 - The Middle Pleistocene environment exhibit: (a) Floor display showing evidence of hominin marrow consumption. (b,c) Final lay- out of the exhibition space. The Museo Archeologico Ernico of Anagni (Frosinone, Italy): A New ... access to multiple sites with a single purchase but also serves as a tool for enhancing the historical center of Anagni, an area spanning approximately one kilometer that can be explored in about 20 minutes on foot. The creation of the "Anagni Pass" and ticketing strategies are steps towards the goal of a future conces- sion of museum services to third parties, with the aim of creating a strong cultural network in the historical center of Anagni, incentivizing tourism and the valorization of local heritage. Two years after its opening, and following the deci- sions made by the Municipality of Anagni (determination no. 34 of January 10, 2025), ARTISLENDORE ITALIA SRL has been tasked with managing its cultural ser- vices for seven months. This temporary choice serves to keep the Museum open and functioning while the ap- proval of internal regulations, the definition of services offered, the appointment of the scientific director, and the preparation for a long-term assignment are being completed. ARTISLENDORE ITALIA SRL's responsibili- ties include online and onsite ticket sales, the organiza- tion of at least ten guided tours, activities for schools, and the coordination of all of this. of a full-time scientific director, the museum temporarily hired an activities coordinator, an employee of the Com- pany, with a part-time contract lasting ten months. The commitment to staff training and the museum's integration into the local cultural network, through agree- ments with cultural institutions and memoranda of under- standing, has further strengthened its capacity to serve the community and visitors effectively. The MAE management has adopted a proactive strategy to strengthen local cultural cooperation, promot- ing the signing of agreements and memoranda of under- standing with other cultural bodies. In particular, the municipal administration has initi- ated a collaboration with O.P.E.S. to implement five universal civil service projects, an indispensable and useful resource for the museum's ticket office and recep- tion activities. In March 2024, the "Anagni Pass" was conceived, established, and promoted, a single ticket providing ac- cess to both the MAE and the nearby Palazzo Bonifacio VIII. The introduction of this pass represents a strategic step towards integrating the MAE into Anagni's cultural and tourism fabric, fostering a synergy between local cultural institutions. The Anagni Pass not only facilitates 40 Fig. 11 - Exhibit corner of the section concerning virtual paleontology (room 8). a) set up with digitized skulls in hands-on mode, video play- back, and forex display panel summarizing some of the techniques used in modern paleontology and archaeology. b) example of display panel with qr-code for English version of the text. Conti J. et al. 2762-2778. Doi: 10.13133/2280-6148/18064 Angelucci D., Armellini J., Biddittu I., Bruni L., Florindo F., Marra F., Nomade S., Parenti F., Pereira A., Santaniello F., Spagnolo V., Grimaldi S. (2023) - Fontana Ranuccio (excavations 2019-2022) and Colle Marino (excavations 2020-2021): Middle Pleistocene chronostratigraphic evidence of the earliest inhabitants in the Anagni basin. Journal of Mediterranean Earth Sciences, 15, 51-63. Doi: 10.13133/2280-6148/18064 Ascenzi A., Biddittu I., Cassoli P.F., Segre A.G., Segre Naldini E. (1996) - A calvarium of late Homo erec- tus from Ceprano, Italy. Journal of Human Evolu- tion, 31, 409-423. Doi: 10.1006/jhev.1996.0069 Ascenzi A., Mallegni F., Manzi G., Segre A.G., Segre Naldini E. (2000) - A re-appraisal of Ceprano cal- varia affinities with Homo erectus, after the new reconstruction. Journal of Human Evolution, 39, 443-450. Doi: 10.1006/jhev.2000.0425 Bellucci L., Mazzini I., Scardia G., Bruni L., Parenti F., Segre A.G., Segre Naldini E., Sardella R. (2012) - The site of Coste San Giacomo (Early Pleisto- cene, central Italy): palaeoenvironmental analysis and biochronological overview. Quaternary Inter- national, 267, 30-39. Doi: 10.1016/j.quaint.2011.04.006 Bellucci L., Bona F., Corrado P., Magri D., Mazzini I., Parenti F., Scardia G., Sardella R. (2014) - Evi- dence of late Gelasian dispersal of African fauna at Coste San Giacomo (Anagni Basin, central Italy): early Pleistocene environments and the background of early human occupation in Europe. Quaternary Science Reviews, 96, 72-85. Doi: 10.1016/j.quascirev.2013.10.011 Bellucci L., Bona F., Conti J., Mecozzi B., Strani F., Sardella R. (2024) - The Early Pleistocene Car- nivoran of Coste San Giacomo (Anagni, Central Italy): Biochronological Implications. Quaternary, 7 (4), 57. Doi: 10.3390/quat7040057 Biddittu I., Cassoli P.F., Radicati Di Bronzolo F., Segre A.G., Segre Naldini E., Villa I. (1979) - Anagni a K- Ar dated lower and Middle-Pleistocene site, cen- tral Italy: Preliminary report. Quaternaria, 21, 53- 71. Bona F., Bellucci L., Sardella R. (2015) - The Gelasian (Late Villanyan-MN17) diversified micromammal assemblage with Mimomys pliocaenicus from Coste San Giacomo (Anagni basin, central Italy), taxonomy and comparison with selected European sites. Hystrix, 26, 141-151. Doi: 10.4404/hystrix-26.2-11441 Bona F., Strani F. (2021) - New data on the Middle Pleistocene small mammal fauna from the Homo bearing site of Fontana Ranuccio (Anagni Basin, Central Italy). Alpine and Mediterranean Quater- nary, 31(1), 135-139. Doi: 10.26382/AMQ.2021.01 Buzi C., Di Vincenzo F., Profico A., Manzi G. (2021) - The pre-modern human fossil record in Italy from the Middle to the Late Pleistocene: An updated reappraisal. Alpine and Mediterranean Quater- nary, 34(1), 17-32. 5. CONCLUSIONS The MAE has significant potential as an important scientific and cultural resource. Its modern and well- equipped facilities, which include areas for visitor recep- tion, education and research, combined with the effec- tive cooperation between the city management, cultural organization and universities, place it at the forefront among institutions dedicated to the cultural growth of the local area. This collaborative framework enables the museum to function as a nucleus of cultural, educational, and research activities, establishing it as a key reference point for culture and tourism in the region. The prospect of transforming the MAE into a center of cultural and scientific excellence is a concrete and achievable ambition. The success of this transformation will depend on the implementation of modern manage- ment strategies that promote sustainability and the mu- seum's integration into the broader cultural circuit. This, combined with the uniqueness of the exhibited finds, the focus on accessibility, and the use of innovative display and conservation technologies, will be crucial for its fu- ture impact. ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS The authors wish to express Sincere gratitude to the Municipality of Anagni, with acknowledgement to the Mayor of Anagni Daniele Natalia, for their belief and keen interest in achieving a project of long standing, and for financially supporting the work. Special acknowledgement is extended to the Minis- try of Culture, the Superintendency of Archaeology, Fine Arts and Landscape for the provinces of Frosinone and Latina (Francesco Di Mario) and Latium (Daniela Quad- rino). Special thanks to Chiara Delpino, real “Dea ex machina” of the project. The authors acknowledge Mau- ro Rubini (Anthropological Service of the S.B.A.L. - Ital- ian Ministry of Culture) for granting access to the premis- es and the Homo fossils from Fontana Ranuccio, there- by enabling the digitization of the dental remains. The authors acknowledge the Polo Museale Sapi- enza for supplying essential software and instrumenta- tions for the graphic contents and the reviewers who contributed to improving our paper. A kindfull thanks to Marta Stabile, for the illustra- tions of Homo heidelbergensis exhibited in room 2. A special note of thanks is due to Banc anag ni for their fundamental financial support. 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