Visitors to National Museum Cardiff have been flocking to have their picture taken with a spectacular prehistoric creature for the last eight months. Now, the museum's most photographed resident finally has a name.
A Legendary Name for a Prehistoric Giant
The huge, life-size 3D printed mammoth has been christened Tom Bones, in a playful nod to the legendary Welsh singer, Sir Tom Jones. The naming process captured the public's imagination, with the museum receiving a staggering more than 1,400 suggestions from the public.
During the half-term period, visitors were invited to cast their votes on a shortlist of three names. While Macsen and Morus proved popular contenders, it was Tom Bones that ultimately won the public vote.
Capturing the Public Imagination
Mared Maggs, Head of National Museum Cardiff, expressed her delight at the campaign's success. "It was hard whittling the entries down to three, but I’m delighted our campaign managed to capture public imagination and the name was ultimately chosen by our visitors," she said.
She extended a heartfelt thank you to everyone who participated and confirmed the mammoth's new status as a museum icon. "While Tom is part of the National Museum Cardiff family, he truly feels like a friend to us all. We’re excited to welcome as many of you as possible to have your photo taken with our new icon, Tom Bones."
Other creative, albeit unsuccessful, entries from the public included:
- Bendigeidfran
- Merlin the Mammoth
- Tusks
- BFM (Big Friendly Mammoth)
- Sir Tusk-A-lot
- Mammoth McMammoth Face
Visit Wales's Newest Celebrity
The woolly mammoth, which the model is based on, once roamed the British Isles, grazing on the "green, green grass of home" in areas like Shropshire, just across the border from Wales.
With the cold winter setting in, the museum is encouraging people to pop in and meet Wales's boniest celebrity. Alongside the impressive Tom Bones, the museum is currently hosting other exhibitions, including Hip Hop: A Welsh Story, offering a full day of cultural discovery.
