The geographic, stratigraphic and historical coverage of the seven million vertebrate, invertebrate and plant fossils in the Museum's palaeontology collection make it globally important.

The Museum’s large collection of fossil fishes contains approximately 90,000 specimens, of which 5,000 are type or figured specimens.

Our collection contains many marine reptile specimens from the Lower Lias of the Dorset coast, including some discovered by Mary Anning.

The Museum's lepidosaur collection contains the fossilised remains of lizards and snakes, including many specimens from Britain.

The Museum's fossil mammal collection contains an estimated 250,000 specimens from around the world, and is rich in type and figured material.