The GSA Paleontology Collection

The GSA collection began in 1848 with the first State Geologist, Michael Tuomey, and has continued to grow over the years as paleontologists and researchers have collected material to help investigate and map Alabama geology. The collected specimens are from numerous world-class fossil sites in Alabama, other states, and other countries and include such taxa as mollusks, plants, trace fossils, microfossils, vertebrates, and more. Over 70 cabinets house the extensive collection, including approximately 200,000 macrofossils of Paleozoic (~17,000), Mesozoic (~34,000), and Cenozoic (~150,000) ages. A microfossil collection is also maintained and includes hundreds of microscope slides and bulk samples.

For more information about the GSA paleontology collection, visiting as a researcher, or obtaining specimens on loan for research purposes, please contact the paleontology curator Dr. T. Lynn Harrell, Jr., at lharrell@gsa.state.al.us, 205-247-3559. Dr. Harrell oversees the paleontology collection and its management.

GSA Paleontology Database

Although historical records have been maintained in handwritten specimen labels (figure) and typed note cards since the 1800s, the GSA continues to convert this information to digital format. Part of the GSA fossil catalog (PaleoDatabase) is now available on our website. Click here to go to the GSA PaleoDatabase. Or contact the GSA paleontology curator at lharrell@gsa.state.al.us for more information.