Key Takeaways
- A private Dorset fossil collection, including hundreds of Jurassic specimens such as ichthyosaurs, was sold to the Natural History Museum in Abu Dhabi for an eight‑figure sum after UK national museums lacked the funds to purchase it.
- Lyme Regis Museum and local heritage leaders were not notified of the impending sale and argue that current export controls do not protect fossils because they are not considered “made” objects under the Waverley criteria.
- Campaigners are urging the government to extend the Waverley criteria (used for cultural treasures) to fossils of exceptional scientific or national significance, to impose temporary export bars, and to create a national register of important fossil finds.
- MP Edward Morello has pressed the Minister for Museums, Heritage and Gambling to explore options to delay or suspend the export, giving UK institutions a final chance to raise funds and acquire the collection.
- Supporters believe the money could be raised through crowdfunding, grants, and private benefactors, and stress that keeping the collection on the Jurassic Coast preserves its scientific, educational, and cultural context tied to the UNESCO World Heritage site and the legacy of Mary Anning.
Background of the Sale
Last week a Guardian investigation revealed that an unparalleled assemblage of fossils from the UK’s Jurassic Coast—comprising hundreds of specimens including ichthyosaurs, ammonites, and other marine reptiles—had been sold to the Natural History Museum in Abu Dhabi. The collection belonged to Chris Moore, a private collector based in Dorset, and was reportedly exchanged for an “eight‑figure sum.” Prior to the overseas sale, Moore’s fossils were offered to the Natural History Museum in London and Amgueddfa Cymru (Museum Wales), but neither institution possessed the financial resources to acquire them.
Significance of the Moore Collection
The Moore collection is regarded by experts as one of the finest private assemblages from the Lower Lias of Dorset. It contains several unique specimens that are not only scientifically valuable for understanding Early Jurassic marine ecosystems but also hold considerable educational and public‑engagement potential. Lyme Regis Museum described the collection as “among the best private collections” from that geological horizon, emphasizing its rarity and the light it sheds on the region’s palaeontological heritage.
Concerns Raised by Lyme Regis Museum
Bridget Houseago, director of Lyme Regis Museum, wrote to Liberal Democrat MP Edward Morello highlighting that the museum was never informed of the impending sale nor given the opportunity to bid for any part of the collection. Dr Jonathan Evans, chair of trustees at the Lyme Regis (Philpot) Museum trust, echoed this sentiment, stating that neither Moore, the Natural History Museum in London, National Museum Cardiff, nor any government entity approached the museum to gauge interest in acquiring the fossils. This lack of communication deprived local institutions of a chance to keep the collection within the UK.
Export Control Loophole and the Waverley Criteria
The UK’s cultural goods export controls are designed to give the nation a chance to retain objects of outstanding national importance by imposing a temporary export bar when an item meets one of the Waverley criteria. However, as Houseago’s letter explains, fossils and other natural‑history items are excluded from these controls because they are not classified as “made” objects. Consequently, “some important and rare fossils can be sold without an export licence,” allowing significant palaeontological material to leave the country unhindered.
Calls for Legislative Change and a National Register
Houseago, Evans, and their colleagues are lobbying ministers to amend the legislation so that fossils of exceptional scientific or national significance are covered by the Waverley criteria. They argue that, just as with treasure trove, paintings, or other artefacts, an export ban could be placed on such fossils, granting UK museums time to raise funds and submit acquisition proposals. In tandem, they advocate for the creation of a national register of important fossil finds to monitor and protect the country’s natural heritage.
MP Edward Morello’s Intervention
Responding to the museum’s concerns, Edward Morello wrote to Fiona Twycross, the Minister for Museums, Heritage and Gambling, posing a series of questions. He asked whether the government would “explore options to delay or suspend the export of this collection to allow accredited UK museums a final opportunity to raise funds and submit an acquisition proposal, thereby giving the collection the best possible chance of remaining in the United Kingdom?” Morello emphasized that natural history is as vital as cultural history and urged the government to act to prevent the loss of this important palaeontological asset. The Department for Culture, Media and Sport declined to comment on the matter.
Funding Prospects and Community Perspective
While some may doubt that smaller museums could afford such a high‑value acquisition, Evans expressed confidence that the necessary funds could be raised. Houseago pointed to viable avenues such as crowdfunding campaigns, heritage grants, and support from wealthy benefactors as realistic mechanisms to meet the financial challenge. She also stressed the importance of keeping the collection on the Jurassic Coast, an area with a deep legacy of fossil discovery—most famously linked to Mary Anning, who uncovered the first complete plesiosaur skeleton in Lyme Regis in 1823. Retaining the fossils locally would preserve their contextual meaning and continue to support the region’s identity as a UNESCO World Heritage site.
Broader Implications for Fossil Heritage and the UNESCO Site
The Jurassic Coast’s designation as a World Heritage site rests not only on its dramatic scenery but also on the wealth of fossil evidence that illuminates Earth’s evolutionary history. Allowing scientifically significant specimens to leave the area without oversight risks eroding the very foundation of that status. By treating exceptional fossils as potential national treasures, the UK could safeguard its natural heritage in the same manner it protects cultural artefacts, ensuring that future generations have access to the physical record that underpins both scientific understanding and local cultural pride.
Conclusion
The sale of Chris Moore’s Dorset fossil collection has exposed a gap in the UK’s export‑control framework that permits nationally important palaeontological material to leave the country without scrutiny. Local museums, heritage advocates, and MP Edward Morello are calling for a legal extension of the Waverley criteria to fossils, the implementation of temporary export bars, and the establishment of a national register of significant finds. With viable funding strategies and a strong community commitment to preserving the Jurassic Coast’s legacy, there is a realistic pathway to keep such treasures within the UK—protecting both scientific knowledge and the cultural narrative that defines Lyme Regis and its environs.