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Herbivory: eating plants
https://australian.museum/learn/animals/insects/herbivory-eating-plants/

Herbivory is the act of eating plants and a herbivore is an animal that eats plants. Herbivores play an important role in the ecology of any area, influencing plant communities and individual plant growth. The great diversity of invertebrate and vertebrate herbivores reflects the diversity of pla

Published 06 October 2009

food herbivore biodiversity plant insect
Preparation for death: stories
https://australian.museum/about/history/exhibitions/death-the-last-taboo/preparation-for-death-stories/

Read about how these people from different cultures prepare the bodies of their dead.

Published 27 October 2009

past exhibition death
Disposing of the dead - Cremation
https://australian.museum/about/history/exhibitions/death-the-last-taboo/disposing-of-the-dead-cremation/

Cremation is the disposal of a corpse by fire. It is an ancient and widespread practice, second only to burial. Some ancient cultures believed that fire was a purifying agent, and that cremation would light the way of the deceased to another world, or to prevent the return of the dead.

Published 12 January 2010

past exhibition death
Disposing of the dead - Preservation
https://australian.museum/about/history/exhibitions/death-the-last-taboo/disposing-of-the-dead-preservation/

The earliest deliberately preserved bodies are those of the Chinchorro culture of northern Chile which date back about 7000 years. Today, the preserved bodies of famous political leaders, such as Lenin and Mao Tse Teung, demonstrate the continuing urge to defy death in some way.

Published 23 October 2009

past exhibition death
Burial - coffins and caskets
https://australian.museum/about/history/exhibitions/death-the-last-taboo/burial-coffins-and-caskets/

The word coffin is the general term for the receptacles in which a corpse is buried. Many people use the terms coffin and casket interchangeably. To the funeral industry, however, they are two different things.

Published 27 October 2009

past exhibition death
Burial - Toraja, Sulawesi
https://australian.museum/about/history/exhibitions/death-the-last-taboo/burial-toraja-sulawesi/

The Toraja live in the mountainous southern region of the Indonesian island of Sulawesi. Most are now Christian. However, elements of the traditional religion, aluk to dolo ('the law of the ancestors'), are still followed, especially in rural areas.

Published 22 October 2009
Preparing the body for disposal
https://australian.museum/about/history/exhibitions/death-the-last-taboo/preparing-the-body-for-disposal/

Find out how bodies are prepared, covered, stored, enclosed and, finally, transported for disposal.

Published 27 October 2009

past exhibition death
Autopsies
https://australian.museum/about/history/exhibitions/death-the-last-taboo/autopsies/

An autopsy is a detailed and careful medical examination of a person's body and its organs after death to help establish the cause of death.

Published 26 October 2015

past exhibition death
Morgues and mortuaries
https://australian.museum/about/history/exhibitions/death-the-last-taboo/morgues-and-mortuaries/

Morgues are places where reportable deaths are investigated by a coroner, while mortuaries are the places where dead bodies are stored temporarily for a range of reasons, including autopsies and preparations for burial such as embalming.

Published 22 October 2009

past exhibition death
Ching Ming
https://australian.museum/about/history/exhibitions/death-the-last-taboo/ching-ming/

The Ching Ming ('Clear Brightness') festival has been celebrated annually at Sydney's Rookwood Cemetery since at least the 1880s.

Published 22 October 2009

past exhibition death

Tails from the Coasts

Presented with the National Museum of Singapore, this culturally significant collection of watercolours brings to life extraordinary species and captivating stories.

Special exhibition
On now

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Burra

Be transported on an immersive journey through the eyes of burra (eel) in the Australian Museum’s learning and play space.

Permanent education space
10am - 4.30pm

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RELICS

Vintage objects meet miniature LEGO® worlds in RELICS: A New World Rises, an extraordinary exhibition created by LEGO® Masters winners. Opening 16 August at the Australian Museum.

Special Exhibition
Opens 16 August 2025

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Minerals

Be dazzled by over 1800 spectacular rocks and minerals in our new Minerals Gallery.

Permanent exhibition
Open daily

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