A museum in Oxford has unveiled the first major changes to its permanent displays in more than 20 years.
Oxford University Museum of Natural History project to transform its centre court has taken two years and involved the movement of thousands of specimens.
The last major redevelopment of the permanent exhibits was in the early 2000s.
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The new displays complete the second phase of the Life, as we know it masterplan which began in 2018 and will continue with a further 16 new exhibits opening in spring 2024.
These displays celebrate biodiversity and the variety of life on Earth including the different colours, shapes and sizes these creatures take.
Professor Paul Smith, director of the Museum of Natural History, said: “With their striking, contemporary designs and a focus on core scientific ideas, these displays are a big step forward for the Museum.
"In them, we are taking a broader look at the complex interactions between life and the environment, both today and across geological time.
"And we are also offering an opportunity for visitors to reflect on our impact on the biodiversity of the future.”
The next phase of redevelopment, beginning in 2023, will transform the north gallery with new exhibits on Present-day ecosystems, as well as completing the Evolution and Biodiversity aisles.
Oxford University Museum of Natural History is visited by more than 750,000 people annually.
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This story was written by Sophie Perry. She joined the team in 2021 as a digital reporter.
You can get in touch with her by emailing: sophie.perry@newsquest.co.uk
Follow her on Twitter @itssophieperry
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