The Oxford University Museum of Natural History houses the University's scientific collections of zoological, entomological, palaeontological, geological and mineral specimens, accumulated in the course of the last three centuries.
The exhibits occupy a large Central Court with its elegant cast iron columns supporting the great glass roof, and surrounded on four sides by Upper and Lower Arcades. They are devoted to the history and diversity of life on Earth and the rocks and minerals that form it.
What is not on public display are huge reserve collections that are used for research and teaching. These are organised into four Collections, the Entomological, Geological, Mineralogical and Zoological respectively, each one cared for by a Curator and Assistant Curator.
