Taiwan, located in the subtropical and tropical regions of the Western Pacific between the Ryukyu Islands of Japan and the Philippines, boasts rich and diverse landscapes. These geological features host unique biodiversity, catching the attention of early settlers and natural explorers from around the world. Westerners in the 19th century, followed by Japanese and Chinese scientists in the early 20th century, were amazed by the vibrant ecology of this small island, leaving behind extensive records and natural history specimens. For nearly a century, NTU has acquired books, instruments, and specimens to support teaching and research, as well as setting up department-specific specimen collections.
In November 2022, with funding from the Ministry of Culture, 5 of 11 units of the NTU Museums -- Botany, Zoology, Entomology, Geology, and University History-- collaborated to curate “Archiving Nature: A Glimpse through the Natural History Collections from the Taihoku Imperial University Era (the forerunner of NTU from 1928-1945).” This exhibition, held at the Chuan Lyu Exhibition Hall in the NTU History Gallery, featured selected natural history specimens and artifacts from the TIU era. With displays on native animals, plants, and insects, as well as geology and university history, the exhibition aimed to showcase the early-mid 20th-century research on Taiwan’s natural history through the collection efforts of faculty and students and the preservation work of NTU departments, libraries, and other units.
Although the exhibition has ended, the NTU Museums will continue to introduce and display their unique natural history collections to interested people around the world through its bilingual website.
The illustrated theme poster of the exhibition.
Archiving Natural History Collections of NTU Museums.
