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Natural Science

 

The Leeds natural science collection comprises around 800,000 specimens.

It is hugely diverse in terms of subject area, specimen type, and taxonomic range. It is Designated as being of national and international significance.

The geology collection includes a wide range of fossils, minerals, rocks and meteorites, telling the story of our planet’s history. Yorkshire’s geology is very well represented, and the mineralogy collection holds some significant rarities alongside a collection of cut and polished gemstones. Highlights of the palaeontology collection include a Giant Deer (formerly Irish elk) skeleton, ichthyosaur skeletons, and the Armley Hippo.

Particular strengths include our conchology collection; taxidermied specimens of endangered species including the snow leopard and giant panda; skeletons from extinct animals such as the thylacine, dodo, great auk and moa; one of the world’s best collections of fig wasps and thousands of mounted plant specimens and seeds.

A portion of our collection is on display in the Life On Earth gallery at Leeds City Museum. You can see many of our specimens at Leeds Discovery Centre on one of our free store tours and on our Google Arts & Culture page.

A Thylacines skull, also known as Tasmanian Tigers or Tasmanian Wolves.

Collection highlight

Thylacine

At Leeds Museums and Galleries we have remains from six Thylacines, also known as Tasmanian Tigers or Tasmanian Wolves. Thylacines were driven to extinction, with the last remaining individual dying in Hobart Zoo in 1936.

Thylacines were marsupials, like kangaroos, so the females had pouches to keep their young safe. They were carnivorous, and viewed as pests by farmers. A number of factors are thought to have led to their extinction, including competition with dogs introduced by Europeans, hunting by farmers, and disease.

Sadly Thylacines can now only be viewed in museum collections. Every day, more species are being driven to extinction, with only a few being memorialised in museum collections.

Discover more of our collections

Archaeology and Numismatics Collection

The Leeds archaeological collections are diverse, covering many thousands of years of history and prehistory, and representing a wide range of ancient cultures from around the world.

Fine Art Collection

The Leeds fine art collections are Designated as being of national and international significance. The collection has particular strengths in the areas of 18th and early 19th century English watercolours, 20th century British Art and a modern sculpture collection.

Dress and Textile Collection

The Leeds dress and textiles collection details the history of what people have worn in the past, and the textiles they have used for their clothing, furnishing and decorating their homes.

Decorative Arts Collection

The Leeds Decorative Arts collections are Designated as being of national and international importance. They are linked to local crafts people past and present, and feature major collections of furniture, ceramics, wallpapers, modern crafts, metalwork, textiles and costume.

World Cultures Collection

World Cultures is a significant collection area for Leeds, with over 12,000 items demonstrating the city’s historic links to the wider world, and the multicultural vibe of contemporary arts and culture.

Social History Collection

The Leeds social history collections started with an emphasis on ‘bygones’ and folk life in the 1920s. Reconstructed street displays at Abbey House were then added in the 1950s, recreating life in Victorian Leeds.

Industrial History Collection

The Leeds industrial collections are largely based at Leeds Industrial Museum at Armley Mills, and have been designated as of national and international significance.

Our Collections

Explore Leeds Museums and Galleries large collection of Art, Archaeology, Decorative Arts, Natural Science, Dress and Textiles, Industrial, World Cultures and Social History.