British Geological Survey (BGS)
type: Organization

Survey fossil specimens index
type: Dataset
keyword: Fossil specimen
keyword: Specimen collecting
keyword: Sampling
keyword: Biostratigraphy
keyword: Type specimen
keyword: Geological surveys
keyword: NERC_DDC
keyword: Palaeontology
keyword: Fossils
description: The survey fossil specimens index shows the localities of significant fossil samples, either collected by Geological Survey staff, or donated by individuals and institutions. The BGS fossil collections contain over 2 million specimens, including a sizeable quantity of type, figured and cited material. Each location is associated with a range of sample numbers which are held in the collections. For some locations, the name of the locality is available, and for some specimens, chronostratigraphic and / or lithostratigraphic information is included. Note that because a small number of the fossil locations are confidential, in the publicly accessible version of this dataset, locations have been rounded to the centre of their 100 m British National Grid grid square, and the spatial data are not visible at large scales. More information about specific locations may be available on request. Material is available for inspection on application by e-mail. Specimens are sometimes available for loan to bona fide academics.
issued: 2026-07-30T20:41:47.426720
modified: 2026-08-20T22:39:12.578494
spatial: Location
  geometry: {"type": "Polygon", "coordinates": [[[1.7800, 49.8500], [-8.6500, 49.8500], [-8.6500, 60.8800], [1.7800, 60.8800], [1.7800, 49.8500]]]}

Palaeontology and biostratigraphy collections
type: Distribution
access URL: https://www.bgs.ac.uk/geological-data/national-geological-repository/palaeontology-collections/
description: Resource locator
issued: 2026-08-20T22:39:12.651111
modified: 2026-08-20T22:39:12.592306