One of UK’s best fossil collections sold overseas in ‘loss to the nation’

The Guardian World Saturday 08 August 2026, 16:00 UTC By Nicola Davis Science correspondent 1 min read

Key Points

Exclusive: Lack of funds left British museums unable pay eight-figure sum for collection, which went to Abu Dhabi institutionOne 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, consisted of 318 specimens, including ichthyosaurs, fish and crustaceans among other creatures, some...

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, consisted of 318 specimens, including ichthyosaurs, fish and crustaceans among other creatures, some of which could be new species.

UK (LOCATION) British (ORG) Abu Dhabi (ORG) Guardian (ORG)

Originally published by The Guardian World Read original →

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One of UK’s best fossil collections sold overseas in ‘loss to the nation’

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