One of UK’s best fossil collections sold overseas in ‘loss to the nation’
Exclusive: Lack of funds left British museums unable pay eight-figure sum for collection, which went to Abu Dhabi institution One of the most important collections of UK Jurassic fossils ever compiled has been sold to a museum in Abu Dhabi, the Guardian can reveal, in what British experts have described as a loss for the nation. The collection, which was amassed by a private fossil collector,…
The Natural History Museum in Abu Dhabi has acquired one of the most significant collections of UK Jurassic fossils, raising concerns among British experts about the loss of valuable heritage to overseas institutions. The collection, compiled by Dorset-based fossil collector Chris Moore, consists of 318 specimens including ichthyosaurs, fish, and crustaceans, some of which may be new species.
Despite initial offers from the Natural History Museum in London and Museum Wales for an "eight-figure sum," neither institution acquired the fossils due to funding limitations. The museum in Abu Dhabi stated that the collection, which predates from the Lower Lias rocks of the UK, is of national significance as it illustrates the evolution of marine life in the region.
While the UK does not consider fossils found in recent decades to be state property, similar to some countries like Mongolia and Brazil, the lack of a legal framework for the preservation and funding of such collections in the UK has led to concerns about the loss of important natural heritage.
Written by urgent.news from Guardian Science's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — it may contain errors, so check the original before relying on it.
