Ancient pink zebra seaweed added to Natural History Museum collection

An ancient algae, first identified in a sediment core four decades ago, will soon be added to the Natural History Museum’s permanent collection. The microscopic fossil, classified as a rare type of acritarch, was discovered in 1983 during a paleontological survey of the Devonian strata in the Scottish Highlands. The specimen, preserved in a thin layer of limestone, offers a rare glimpse into the composition of early marine ecosystems.

The museum’s acquisition underscores the importance of long‑term scientific collaboration between field researchers and curators. By incorporating the algae into its display, the Natural History Museum will provide visitors with a tangible connection to the planet’s distant past and highlight the ongoing relevance of fossil micro‑organisms in reconstructing ancient climates and biogeochemical cycles. The new exhibit is scheduled to open in the museum’s “Early Earth” gallery next month.