Prehistoric fossil found in Warwickshire quarry to go back on display in Coventry

A prehistoric fossil found in a Warwickshire quarry is set to go back on display in Coventry after extensive conservation work. The ichthyosaur, which dates back hundreds of millions of years, was discovered in 1933 in Harbury Cement Quarry.

It has been part of Herbert Art Gallery & Museum’s collection since the early 1960s. In 2018 a palaeontologist recommended the specimen should have further work to reveal more of the fossil underneath the rock covering.

Now, with the arrival of Dippy the dinosaur at the museum – a life-size, replica of a Diplodocus carnegii skeleton – the Herbert has found a sponsor to allow the work to be completed. It is due to go back on display as the central piece in the museum’s Warwickshire Jurassic Sea display this month.

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Sponsor James Thomas, who donated the funds to pay for the conservation work, said: “I have always been a fan of dinosaurs and prehistoric life so was delighted when the Herbert announced Dippy was coming to Coventry. I wanted to donate to support the museum’s collections and hope that the conservation work will uncover more information about the Herbert’s star ichthyosaur.

“It’s particularly meaningful for me as the money I’m donating was left to me by grandmother and great-aunt; I have no doubt they would be delighted that it’s helping me follow a passion of mine.”

Restoration work on the ichthyosaur’s, undertaken by conservator Nigel Larkin, has outlined a flurry of new details.

Curator Ali Wells said: “I am delighted at the opportunity to discover more about one of our specimens. Parts of the creature’s teeth, eye ring and skull are visible but the conservation work has brought it to life even more.

“And on top of that there’s the opportunity to have the fossil scanned by Warwick Manufacturing Group to reveal what’s inside, something that was not possible when the specimen first arrived at the museum in 1961.”

Ichthyosaur facts

Ichthyosaurs are not dinosaurs, but their sea-based cousins, also known as marine reptiles. They lived in the sea and came to the surface for air.

Ichthyosaurs are extinct and looked similar to modern dolphins, although they are not related. They hunted sea creatures such as ammonites and fish.

Ichthyosaurs had large eye sockets and special bones, called a sclerotic ring, which helped to protect the eye from water pressure at depth. Different species ranged from one to 20 metres long.

The ichthyosaur’s return will see a new virtual reality experience at the museum based around Coventry and Warwickshire’s Jurassic-period marine life. Visitors can trace the ichthyosaur’s route to Coventry – from swimming around Warwickshire’s Jurassic seas to being discovered in the quarry.

Find out more about the VR experience on the Herbert’s website and learn more about Warwickshire’s Jurassic sea here.

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