Cenozoic Collection (page 5)

Homo neanderthalensis (Kebarah) burial site
Burial site of Neanderthal Man (Homo neanderthalensis), 60, 000 years old from the Pleistocene, Kabara, Israel. On display in From the Beginning, Gallery 63

Insect in amber
An Eocene centipede trapped in Baltic amber about 35-40 million years old. Amber is a natural, translucent fossil resin

Lates gracilis, bony fish
Specimen of an Eocene bony fish (lates gracilis)

Pleistocene hunters
An illustration of a hominid hunting party with mammoths and rhinosauruses uring the Pleistocene period, 1.8 million years ago - 11, 000 years ago

Pleistocene Britain
An artists impression of Britain at the time of the penultimate glaciation, from space during the Pleistocene period (1.8 million to 11, 000 years ago)

Chrysopilus sp. fossil fly in amber
This Baltic amber specimen is Oligocene and from East Prussia. It has been polished to make a pendant with the beautifully preserved fly as a centre piece

Abliguritor niger, fossil spider in amber
This Oligocene spider, about 1 cm long, is encased in amber from the Baltic

Acer trilobatum, miocene maple seeds
Miocene maple seeds originating from an Acer trilobatum

Coeloria labyrinthifor, fossil brain coral
In this polished section of a Miocene brain coral, from Antigua, long meandering corallites with thin septa form a dense meshwork. The specimen measures 8 cm across

Fossilised Archaeogeryon peruvianus, Miocene crab
Fossilised specimen of the Miocene crab (Archaeogeryon peruvianus). Nicknamed Edward Scissorhands, this crab lived some 22 million years ago off the shores of South America

Sabal lamanonis Brongniart
A fossil palm frond from Aix en Provence, France. It is recorded as Upper Eocene, about 45 and 55 million years ago. This specimen is 32 cm long. The specimen number is V16880

Typhis pungens, gastropod

Insects in copal
Two flies trapped in copal from East Africa - Rhagio sp. and Chrysopilus sp. Specimens date from modern to pleistocene (2 million years ago). Copal is a more mature form of amber

Nummulites gizehensis, giant foraminiferan
Shown here is a giant foraminiferan originating from the Eocene of Egypt. Foraminifera are amoeba-like, single-celled protistids and can still be found in abundance today

Palaeochiropteryx tupaiodon
Fossil skeleton from the Middle Eocene, Lutetian, Oil Shale from Messel near Darmstadt, Hesse, Germany. From the collection of the Natural History Museum, London. Fossil bat

Piltdown Stegodon tooth
Piltdown, Sussex item E.620, part of a molar tooth of the extinct mammal Stegodon, of the Pliocene to the Pleistocene epochs. Held at the Natural History Museum, London

Acer trilobatum, sycamore or maple leaf
Fossilised leaf dating from the Miocene period, collected in Oeningen, Baden, Germany. Specimen held at the Natural History Museum, London

Metasequoia occidentalis
Eocene fossil leaves from Spitsbergen. Specimen held at the Natural History Museum, London

Ginkgo adeantoides
Eocene fossil leaf from Ardtun Head, Isle of Mull, Scotland. Specimen held at the Natural History Museum, London

Platinites hebridicus
Eocene fossil leaf from Ardtun Head, Isle of Mull, Scotland. Specimen held at the Natural History Museum, London

Ginkgo gardneri, maidenhair tree
Fossil leaf from Ardtun Head, Isle of Mull, Scotland. Paleocene/Eocene. Ginkgo gardneri is an extinct relative of the living Ginko biloba. Specimen held at the Natural History Museum, London

Metasequoia sp. dawn redwood
A fossilised leaf of the dawn redwood dating from the Eocene period. Specimen originally from from Driftwood Canyon, British Columbia, Canada, now held at the Natural History Museum, London

Skull of Toxodon platensis
Three-quarters view. Skull length is 66 cms. Pleistocene specimen collected by Charles Darwin near Montevideo, Uraguay during the voyage of the Beagle 1832-1836

Pseudoscorpion in Baltic amber dating from the Upper Eocene period about 35 million years old. Arachnida, Pseudoscorpionida, identified by A.J. Ross. Specimen from Kaliningrad, Russia

Thrip in amber
A thrip, a small to minute sucking insect seen here preserved in Dominican amber. Specimen dates from the Lower Miocene

Borneo amber
Piece of Borneo amber originating from the Middle Miocene about 15 million years old. Donated by John Noad

Froghopper in amber
A froghopper is a type of spittlebug, seen here preserved in Baltic amber. Specimen originates from the Upper Eocene

Caddis fly in amber
Caddis fly, Trichoptera, a small moth-like insect preserved here in Baltic amber. Specimen dates from the Upper Eocene

Insect droppings in Dominican amber. Specimen dates from the Lower Miocene, about 20 million years ago. Fig. 65 from Amber the Natural Time Capsule

Moth fly in amber
Moth fly exquisitely preserved in Baltic amber. This specimen dates from the Upper Eocene

Earwig in amber
An earwig preserved in Dominican amber. Specimen dates from the Lower Miocene

Click beetle in amber
A click beetle preserved in Baltic amber. This specimen originates from the Upper Eocene period

Cricket in amber
Cricket preserved in Dominican amber. Specimen originates from the Lower Miocene

Foot of Macrauchenia patachonica
Maximum dimension 30.5 cms. Pleistocene specimen collected by Charles Darwin in Argentina during the voyage of the Beagle 1832-1836

Roundworm in Baltic amber
A roundworm (nematode) trapped in Baltic amber. Specimen is from the Upper Eocene about 35 million years old. Donated by Arne Urup

Angiosperm flower in amber
A flower trapped and preserved in Dominican amber. This specimen dates from the Lower Miocene period about 20 million years old

Braconid wasp in amber
A braconid wasp preserved in Baltic amber. This specimen dates from the Upper Eocene period

Cockroach in amber

Porana oeningensis
Rare fossilised flower preserved as a thin film of carbon on the rock. Porana oeningensis, 2 cm wide, from the Miocene of Oeningen, Germany

Hoverfly in amber
Hoverfly preserved in Baltic amber. This specimen dates from the Upper Eocene

Quercus mediterranea, fossil leaf

Pine cone in Baltic amber
A pine cone in Baltic amber dating from the Upper Eocene. Amber is fossilised tree resin. Image taken from Amber the Natural Time Capsule

Baltic amber with swarm of fungus gnats
Upper Eocene, 35 million year old, piece of Baltic amber with swarm of fungus gnats preserved within. Figure 1 in Amber The Natural Time Capsule

Planthopper bug in Baltic amber
Planthopper bug Hemiptera: Fulgoroidea: Achilidae trapped in Baltic amber. Specimen dates from the Upper Eocene. Image from Amber the Natural Time Capsule

Lacewing in amber
Lacewings from the order Neuroptera are gauzy-winged insects, and seen here preserved inside Baltic amber. Specimen dates from the Upper Eocene

Planthopper in amber
Planthopper preserved in Baltic amber. Specimen originates from the Upper Eocene

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The Cenozoic era, spanning from 66 million years ago to the present day, holds a treasure trove of fascinating fossils that provide glimpses into Earth's ancient past. From the discovery of a mosquito trapped in Dominican amber to the remains of Proconsul africanus, an early ape-like creature, these remnants offer valuable insights into the evolution and diversity of life. Amongst the remarkable finds are Anoplotherium commune and gracile as well as Palaeotherium – prehistoric mammals that roamed Europe during this era. Their fossilized skeletons reveal their unique adaptations for survival in different environments. Meanwhile, a Uintatherium skull showcases the immense size and power possessed by some herbivorous mammals during this time. The Eocene London clay has preserved countless wonders within its layers. Tonguestone with lateral denticles provides evidence of ancient sharks' tooth structure while Megatherium, a giant ground sloth, reminds us of the incredible variety that once existed on our planet. Venturing further into Ghar Dalam cave in Malta's Birzebbuga region reveals hidden secrets like gall midges trapped in Baltic amber or Quercus leaves perfectly preserved for millions of years. These tiny specimens shed light on long-extinct ecosystems and help scientists piece together intricate ecological puzzles. One cannot overlook Andrewsarchus mongoliencis – an enormous carnivorous mammal whose skull cast offers clues about its predatory lifestyle. Additionally, Clypeaster altus presents itself as a fossil echinoid showcasing intriguing patterns etched onto its surface. As we delve deeper into studying these extraordinary fossils from the Cenozoic era, we unravel more mysteries surrounding our planet's history. Each discovery brings us closer to understanding how life evolved over millions of years and highlights nature's astonishing ability to adapt and thrive throughout changing times.