Uncovering a Mary Anning Connection: New Research at the Yorkshire Museum
Recent scientific investigations have brought to light a previously uncatalogued and unpublished 19th-century drawing within the collections of the Yorkshire Museum. Following a two-century silence, this newly examined piece links the museum's holdings directly to the influential fossil hunter Mary Anning and the broader network of women who shaped early palaeontology.
Exploring the 1833 Ichthyosaur Skull Discovery in York
The newly brought-to-light artefact is an 1833 illustration of an ichthyosaur skull crafted by Yorkshire resident Anne Wickham. Sent to the institution's keeper at the time, John Phillips, alongside a surviving letter now preserved at the University of York’s Borthwick Archive, the document provides valuable historical context. Notably, the illustration was created using fossilised sepia ink—a material derived from the ink sacs of ancient cephalopods. The accompanying letter outlines a method for reconstituting this fossilised medium for artistic use, shedding light on techniques utilized by contemporaries like Elizabeth Philpot.
Dr Sarah King, Curator of Natural Sciences at York Museums Trust, noted that the piece remained unrecognised for nearly two hundred years, offering fresh perspective on the collaborative networks of women recording scientific specimens during the period.
What Visitors Can Experience at the Museum
For those planning a visit to see how these historical threads come together, the institution currently features a dedicated display celebrating Mary Anning's pioneering legacy. The special exhibition highlights her contributions to the field and places the newly discovered local connections into broader historical view. Full details on the research paper itself can be accessed directly via the Yorkshire Museum’s blog post, with further documentation available in the complete research PDF.
To discover more cultural highlights and upcoming exhibitions across the city, you can explore the curated guides on Musemap, browse through the museums list, or check out what's on exhibitions to plan your next visit.
