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Museum of Archaeology
Three children sat in a gallery within the Museum of Archaeology

Natural Science Collections

Durham University’s Museums, Galleries and Exhibitions team are responsible for the care and management of the Department of Biological Sciences’ small but significant collections of natural specimens. Once part of the Bioscience Department's teaching materials, this collection comprises of skeletal material, antler trophy heads, taxidermy, entomology, oology, a spirit collection and an herbarium. This collection contains items from around the world and tells important narratives about the history of flora and fauna in the region too.

Taxidermy and Skeletal:

Of particular significance is the Whitehead collection, which focuses mainly upon the family of Cervidae. Formed by the naturalist, deer stalker and author Kenneth Whitehead (1913-2004), the biological specimens are supplemented by an important associated archive and library managed by the University’s Archives and Special Collections team and housed at Palace Green Library. The Whitehead Deer Collection contains animals from England, but also specimens from key locations such as Thailand, India, and South America. A significant almost-complete Giant Irish Elk skeletal specimen also forms the Whitehead Collection and is on display at the Bioscience Department Atrium.A photograph of a Irish Elk Skeletal Speciman

There are other skeletal remains, some from the Whitehead Collection and some from the original teaching collection. Included also is a range of taxidermy, including in the Victorian style of re-creating naturalist scenes.

Herbarium:

The herbarium is currently housed at the Bioscience Department. This collection contains specimens curated by significant researchers such as Margaret Bradshaw, Charles Babbington, T.T Elkington and David Bellamy. The herbarium not only contains important local flora, particularly those of the Tees Valley collected by Margaret Bradshaw, but also represents countries such as Malaysia, Canada, Greenland, the USA, and even the province of Svalbard.

Entomology, Organics, Oology and Plant Fossils:

We have a varied collection of specimens, from butterflies to eggs to fossils of plants. There are some 19th century collector specimens, and some from the department’s teaching and handling collection.