Peterborough Museum’s geology collections date from the opening of the museum in 1880 to the present day. The main strength is the large collection of locally discovered marine reptiles and fossil fish from the Jurassic Oxford Clay beds. The marine reptile collection is scientifically important and is thought to contain 2 type specimens, 10 figured specimens and 20 cited specimens although there may be more.

The collection holds the holotypes of the ichthyosaur Ophthalmosaurus monocharactus, and the pliosaur Pachycostasaurus dawni, which are both the original specimens from which the species was named, and thus irreplaceable.  Pachycostasaurus dawnii can be seen at the museum as part of its permanent Jurassic display.

One of the most impressive skulls in the marine reptile collection is that of the pliosaur Simolestes sp. collected from Dogsthorpe Pit along with a complete Steneosaurus crocodile skeleton!

The fossil fish collection contains lovely examples of Jurassic fish including Caturus, and Lepidotes in addition to historic fossil bones of Leedsichthys collected by Phillips, a local collector in the 1920’s. The most recent significant acquisitions are F174, the most complete Leedsichthys, as well as two exceptional other pachycormids, F161 Martillichthys and F175 Hypsocormus. All of these specimens were prepared by our late volunteer preparator, Alan Dawn.