Palaeontology collections
The Palaeontology Department houses one of the world's great palaeontological collections, with over 9 million specimens gathered from across the globe.
Collections overview
Our collection represents a history of research from the 16th century to the present day, and it is continually developing and evolving.
Many specimens were collected or donated by individuals who were at the forefront of the developing science of geology as collectors, patrons and scientists, including:
- William Smith
- Charles Darwin
- the Sowerbys
- James Bowerbank
- Gideon Mantell
- Mary Anning
- William Gilbertson
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Fossil invertebrate collections
Our collections of fossil invertebrates are significant both in terms of their scope and the number of type and figured specimens they contain. We also care for the Museum's Recent (non-fossil) brachiopod material. Explore these important collections.
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Micropalaeontology collections
Our extensive reference collections of foraminifera, ostracods, conodonts, palynomorphs, nannoplankton and radiolarians are regularly consulted as part of ocean acidification and climate change studies, as well as for commercial work.
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Palaeobotany collections
The palaeobotany collections span the Archean to the present, and are among the most important worldwide with respect to geographic, stratigraphic and historical coverage. They contain cyanobacteria and fungi as well as plants. Find out more.
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Fossil vertebrate collections
The Museum's fossil vertebrate collections feature mammals, fishes, birds, reptiles and amphibians. Learn more about these collections rich in type specimens and historically-important material.
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Palaeontology specimen database
Search the palaeontology database for specimens held at the Museum.