A 3D-printed woolly mammoth skeleton at National Museum Cardiff has been officially named "Tom Bones" following an extensive public voting campaign that attracted more than 18,000 visitors in the final week alone, according to Cardifflife. The winning name pays tribute to Welsh music legend Sir Tom Jones while referencing the mammoth's skeletal nature.
Summer Competition Generates Massive Public Response
The naming journey began during the summer holidays when National Museum Cardiff launched a public competition to find a moniker for their prehistoric resident. The campaign generated remarkable engagement, with more than 1,400 name suggestions submitted by the public, according to Museumsassociation. Among the creative submissions were whimsical options like "Bendigeidfran," "Sir Tusk-A-lot," and "Mammoth McMammoth Face."
The mammoth skeleton replica, which has been displayed in the museum's main hall for eight months, was created using cutting-edge technology. According to Museumsandheritage, the replica was produced by 3D scanning a twin skeleton on display at the Discovery Centre in Craven Arms, Shropshire, with the bones and tusks then 3D printed and painted to replicate authentic bone.
Three Finalists Emerge from Hundreds of Entries
In October, museum officials announced they had narrowed the extensive list down to three finalists: Morus, Macsen, and Tom Bones, according to Museumsassociation. The selection process proved challenging for museum staff, who had to evaluate hundreds of creative submissions from both museum visitors and online participants.
"We were blown away by all the entries we received and we'd like to thank everybody that submitted their entry. Whittling down over 1400 to just three wasn't an easy decision," said Mared Maggs, head of National Museum Cardiff, according to Museumsandheritage.
The voting mechanism required visitors to physically come to the museum and place tokens in buckets corresponding to their preferred name, creating an interactive experience that drove significant foot traffic during the October half-term period.
Historic Significance of the Mammoth Discovery
The impressive display represents more than just museum showmanship—it connects visitors to Wales' prehistoric past. The original mammoth skeleton was discovered in Condover, Shropshire, in 1986 and is believed to be one of the last of its kind before the species became extinct, according to Museumsassociation. The 3D-printed replica was installed in the museum's great hall in March of this year, quickly becoming one of the venue's most photographed exhibits.
This technological approach allows the museum to display a remarkable specimen while preserving the original remains. The mammoth once roamed the Welsh borderlands, making its presence in Cardiff particularly meaningful for Welsh cultural heritage.
Celebrity Endorsement and Cultural Impact
The winning name "Tom Bones" creates a playful connection between prehistoric Wales and contemporary Welsh culture. Sir Tom Jones himself embraced the tribute, posting on social media platform X: "It's not every day you have an ancient woolly mammoth named after you!" according to BBC.
The name cleverly references both the mammoth's skeletal nature and the beloved Welsh musical legend. According to Cardifflife, the connection extends beyond mere wordplay—mammoths like Tom Bones once grazed the "green green grass of home," and despite being discovered over the border in Shropshire, the name suggests the creature has now declared "I'm coming home," echoing Jones' famous 1967 hit.
Museum Naming Competitions Gain Popularity
National Museum Cardiff's campaign reflects a growing trend among cultural institutions to engage the public in naming significant displays and buildings. The practice has proven successful across the UK, with Perth Museum beating other options in a public poll to rename their institution in 2022, and Bolton Museum naming a herbivore skeleton "Jango" following a competition with local children in 2018, according to Museumsassociation.
These interactive campaigns serve multiple purposes: generating public engagement, creating emotional connections between visitors and exhibits, and producing memorable marketing moments that extend the museum's reach beyond traditional audiences.
Community Partnership and Future Engagement
The mammoth display and naming campaign form part of Amgueddfa Cymru's broader exhibitions and public engagement programme, supported by the People's Postcode Lottery. Laura Chow, head of charities at People's Postcode Lottery, praised the initiative's success: "The mammoth skeleton is incredible and has clearly captured the imaginations of visitors. I am so pleased that support from our players has helped make this possible," according to Museumsandheritage.
Mared Maggs expressed satisfaction with the campaign's outcome: "We are delighted to finally be able to give our newest resident a name. 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," according to Cardifflife.
The success of the Tom Bones naming campaign demonstrates how museums can leverage public participation to create lasting connections with their communities. As Cardiff's weather turns colder, the museum invites visitors to warm up inside and capture memorable photos with Wales's newest celebrity—a ancient mammoth with a thoroughly modern Welsh identity.