Colombian farmer-turned-fossil hunter builds desert museum against all odds

In Colombia’s Tatacoa Desert, Farmer-turned-fossil hunter Cesar Perdomo has built a fossil museum with over 5,000 Miocene-era finds.
Self-taught and driven by passion, he preserves ancient creatures like glyptodons and terror birds.
Cesar learned from visiting scientists who fled during conflict, but he carried on their work alone.
Now supported by Bogotá professor Andres Link, his collection is gaining scientific recognition.
A terror bird fossil he found reshaped the region’s prehistoric understanding.
UNESCO named Tatacoa a World Geological Heritage Site, but funding remains scarce.
Despite the struggle, Cesar’s “La Tormenta” museum stands as a tribute to persistence and heritage.

Al Jazeera’s Alessandro Rampietti reports from the Tatacoa Desert, Colombia.

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Post from Al Jazeera on May 04, 2025

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