Our collections

The Museum of Evolution manages Uppsala University's collections of plants, animals, fossils and minerals. Our mission is to make these collections accessible for research, education, and the general public.

Collections have always been at the heart of universities, as the scientific method is partly based on observation and drawing conclusions. It has therefore been natural to collect specimens, study them in laboratories and then draw conclusions that either support or challenge previous perspectives.

Researchers at Uppsala University have been collecting for several centuries and continue to do so today. The museum is responsible for preserving all natural history collections that are important for future studies. We also accept donations from private collectors if the material is deemed scientifically relevant or valuable for education and exhibitions.

Today, the Museum of Evolution is an important infrastructure for research and education, and we collaborate with scientists around the world who either borrow material from our collections or visit us to study them.