Fossil collection catalogue 

A catalogue of the Type, Figured and Cited specimens in the fossil collections

Royal Pavilion & Museums' outstanding Natural Science collections at the Booth Museum of Natural History were designated as of pre-eminent national importance in 1997. Amongst the many collections represented in the Museum, the geological collections, especially the fossils, are highly regarded. Their national importance was recognised as long ago as 1888.

One of the purposes of fossil collections is to form a reservoir of scientific material for specialists to explore. In the very first collection of fossils given to Brighton Museums, palaeontologists found a rich vein of specimens.

This richness has continued to the present day. When research uncovers new and exciting material, palaeontologists publish their findings in the scientific literature. Amongst museum collections they may find specimens which they identify as new species and to which they give new Latin names – these specimens become the type specimens and are forever the most important reference points for all future research. They may choose to illustrate their findings with pictures of other specimens – known as figured specimens. They may also simply refer to some specimens in their published discussions; these are referred specimens.

Browse the catalogue

published_type catalogue_Sept2010.pdf [Adobe pdf 770KB]

This catalogue is the result of previous research into older publications and a steady accumulation of information about modern ones. The most recent additions are about fossil insects found in Sussex and published in 2009, and further additions are expected in the coming years.

Further information about the fossil collections can be found in the introduction to the Catalogue. Many of the specimens from the Booth Museum’s fossil collections can be seen at Discovering Fossils website at: www.chalk.discoveringfossils.co.uk.

Highlights from the collection

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