Drawing of Chenendopora michelinii Hinde (specimen NHMUK PI P 1197) published in James Parkinson's book Organic Remains of a Former World in 1808. Originally labelled as being from the Cretaceous Upper Greensand of Wiltshire, England, the specimen is now considered more likely to be from France.
The Museum has a substantial collection of fossil sponges that contains an estimated 71,000 specimens, including more than 200 type and figured specimens. The collection also contains a number of important historical sub-collections.
71,000 200
Specimens Type specimens
Geological range
Each class within the Porifera is represented across its full geological range:
- Demospongea: Cambrian to Recent
- Calcarea: Cambrian to Recent
- Hexactinellida: Cambrian to Recent
Looking for a specimen?
The fossil sponge collection is being digitised
Curators
Specimens of the related phyla Archaeocyatha and Stromatopoidea are stored in the same area as the sponges.
The collection is supported by a specialist library.
Major collections
- Mantell Collection
Consisting of specimens illustrated in The Fossils of the South Downs. - GJ Hinde Collection
Hinde documented much of the fossil sponge collection.
Countries of origin
The collection is representative of all continents except Antarctica.
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Calyptrella tenuissima, a glass sponge fossil that died on the seabed 80 million years ago
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Coeloptychium agaricoides, a hexactinellid (six rayed spiculed) fossil sponge originating from the Cretaceous of Westphalia, Germany.
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Chenendopora michelinii Hinde (NHMUK PI P 1197) originally labelled as being from the CretaceousUpper Greensand of Wiltshire, England, but considered more likely to be from France.
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Chenendopora michelinii Hinde (NHMUK PI P 1197) originally labelled as being from the CretaceousUpper Greensand of Wiltshire, England, but considered more likely to be from France.
Any questions ?
If you would like to use any specimens for research
Important historical collections
- GA Mantell Collection
- JS Bowerbank
- J Toulmin Smith
- GJ Hinde Collection
- HA Nicholson (Stromatoporids)
- RG Hudson (Middle East)
- J Parkinson
Related information
Accessing the collections
Scientists and collections management specialists can visit the collections and borrow specimens for research.
Collections management
Our duty is to provide a safe and secure environment for all of our collections.
Collections on the move
We have set out on an ambitious programme to develop a new science and digitisation centre. As we prepare for the move, access to some collections will be affected.
Find out more and sign up to our newsletter to receive updates on changes to collections access, relevant news and opportunities to get involved.