Mary Anning’s Fossil Legacy Celebrated in New Exhibition at Dorset Museum

More than 180 years after her death, Mary Anning’s extraordinary life and discoveries are being celebrated in a major new exhibition at Dorset Museum & Art Gallery. Mary Anning: Fossil Hunter, guest curated by bestselling author Tracy Chevalier, will explore the story of the pioneering fossil hunter who transformed our understanding of prehistoric life.

Running from 30 January to 2 May 2027, the exhibition will take visitors back to Lyme Regis, the Dorset coastline where Mary made many of her most important discoveries. It will focus on the two worlds that shaped her life: the beaches where she searched for fossils and the town where she sold, prepared, and studied them.

Born in 1799, Mary Anning became one of the most skilled fossil hunters of the early 19th century. Her discoveries of extinct marine reptiles, including the Ichthyosaur and Plesiosaur, challenged existing ideas about extinction and helped scientists understand the Earth’s ancient past.

Despite coming from a poor family and having no formal scientific education, Mary developed an extraordinary knowledge of fossils. She not only discovered specimens but also carefully cleaned and analysed them, building an understanding that rivalled many trained scientists of her time. However, she often faced barriers and received little recognition from the scientific community during her lifetime.

The exhibition will feature fossils connected to Mary’s work, including a cast of the first Ichthyosaur skull she discovered with her brother Joseph. Visitors will also be able to explore a recreated Jurassic beach, discover hidden fossils, and learn about the social and scientific world in which Mary lived.

Tracy Chevalier, whose novel Remarkable Creatures explored Mary’s story, brings her own connection to the subject after spending time searching for fossils along the same beaches Mary once explored.

Today, Mary Anning is celebrated as a scientific pioneer and an inspiration for future generations. This exhibition offers a chance to rediscover her remarkable achievements and recognise the lasting impact of a woman who changed the way we see the natural world.