(Dandelion pollen grain, Taraxacum officinale) The scientific study of pollen is called palynology and can be used by forensic scientists to discover clues at crime scenes.

Skip to page content

Primary navigation

Information about the Museum

Find out what information the Museum routinely makes available to the public, and where it is located on the website. If the information is not available online, but can be obtained on request to the Museum, contact details are supplied.

All information listed on these pages is available free of charge unless otherwise indicated.

Information that the Museum proactively makes available falls into 7 categories, following the requirements of the Publication Scheme:

  • Who we are and what we do
  • What we spend and how
  • Our priorities
  • How we make decisions
  • Our policies and procedures
  • Lists and registers
  • Services we offer
Copyright

Information that is created by the Museum, made available through the website or on request in hard copy, may only be reproduced for the purposes of non-commercial research or private study. Documents (except photographs) can be also used in the UK for the purposes of news reporting without requiring permission.

Any other reuse, for example commercial publication, would require the permission of the Museum as copyright holder. Fees may then be charged for reproducing Museum information, and unauthorised reproduction is strictly forbidden. Permission to reproduce information does not extend to material that is identified as being the copyright of a third party. Authorisation to reproduce such material must be obtained from the copyright holders concerned.

  • Who we are and what we do

    Information on the Museum’s role and responsibilities, organisational structure, senior staff, access arrangements and contact details.

  • What we spend and how

    Information on the Museum’s financial affairs and how they are managed.

  • Our priorities

    Find out what the Museum has been doing and what are its future plans and priorities.

  • How we make decisions

    Information about the decisions that are taken about the Museum and how those decisions are made.

  • Our policies and procedures

    Information about the Museum’s policies and procedures

  • Lists and registers

    Information on lists and registers maintained by the Museum.

  • Services we offer

    Information about the facilities and services that the Museum offers to the public, researchers, teachers and customers.

Print version
Cartoon image of lab coats with T.rex name label

Our fossil insect collection includes Rhyniognatha hirsti, the world's oldest fossil insect, dating back some 400 million years.