Complete ichthyosaur and plesiosaur skeleton discoveries
Discovery and preparation of landmark marine-reptile fossils that helped shape early palaeontology.
Scientist Exhibit
Mary Anning
Earth & Palaeoscience
1799 – 1847
United Kingdom
Recovered and identified major marine reptile fossils from the Jurassic coast
Overview
About Mary Anning
Mary Anning collected and prepared fossils along the cliffs near Lyme Regis in England. Her discoveries included important ichthyosaur, plesiosaur, and pterosaur specimens that helped scientists reconstruct ancient marine ecosystems. Her finds contributed to changing ideas about extinction and Earth's deep history.
Scientific Contribution
Key Discovery
Life Timeline
Important Moments
1812
discovery
Excavates a largely complete ichthyosaur skeleton
After her brother Joseph found the skull, Anning excavated the rest of a large marine reptile skeleton near Lyme Regis; it became the first largely complete ichthyosaur to be scientifically studied.
1823
discovery
Discovers an articulated plesiosaur skeleton
Anning uncovered the first known articulated skeleton of a complete plesiosaur, transforming scientific understanding of this extinct marine-reptile group.
1828
discovery
Discovers a pterosaur outside Germany
Anning uncovered fossil remains later assigned to Dimorphodon, the first pterosaur discovered outside Germany.
1830
career
Her discoveries inspire the first reconstruction of prehistoric life
Henry De la Beche created Duria Antiquior from fossil evidence including Anning's discoveries and sold prints to help support her financially.
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