Decision details

A request has been received for the destructive sampling of 9 natural history (geological) specimens from the Ipswich Borough Council collection by researchers from the Natural History Museum in London and the Centre for Palaeogenetics, Stockholm University (Sweden). The items requested are all Mammoth molar teeth from the following sites:

·         Brundon (IPSMG:R.1935.218, 1938.88.1, 1935.218.1)

·         Maidenhall (IPSMG:HSM. 2022.30)

·         Stoke Tunnel (IPSMG:R.1927.62.85,1927.62.86, 1927.61.40, 1927.62.81)

·         STUTTON (IPSMG:R.1953.153.1)

Background:

These specimens are highly important with regard to research into the genetic relationship between European and Siberian steppe mammoths (Mammuthus trogontherii) and their place in the ancestry of the woolly mammoth (Mammuthus primigenius).

This request is to sample a relatively small number of teeth from a much larger group. Only one cubic centimetre of material will be removed and destructively sampled from each tooth. The researchers will be looking for ancient DNA, but there is no guarantee that this will be found in these specimens which, unlike those from Siberia, were not preserved in permafrost. However, the discovery of ancient DNA in material of this age (200,000 years ago), in a temperate context, would be highly significant.

This project arose in part out of a discussion with the Natural History Museum on how it could be shown that the Ipswich Museum's collections are important for research in relation to the current application for Designation of Ipswich’s geology collections – recognition by Arts Council England of their being of national and international importance.

The decision made is to agree to the destructive sampling of these specimens as this research has the potential to increase our understanding of the evolution of the mammoth. The inclusion of the Ipswich specimens in this international project will enhance the reputation of Ipswich Museum as the location of a major UK natural history collection.

Project to commence: July 2022