Special Exhibition: Mary Anning – The Story of a Pioneer

Discover the extraordinary story of Mary Anning at the Munich Show 2026: a true pioneer whose spectacular fossil finds along Britain’s Jurassic Coast transformed our understanding of life on Earth.

Mary Anning was born in Lyme Regis, Great Britain, at the beginning of the 19th century. She grew up in modest circumstances and had only limited access to education. At a time when women were largely excluded from the sciences, she began searching for fossils as a child. With exceptional insight, tireless curiosity and a remarkable eye for scientifically significant discoveries, she became one of the most important fossil collectors in history.

Her discoveries played a decisive role in shaping the development of palaeontology — at a time when the discipline did not yet even bear its modern name. Anning’s life’s work left a lasting mark on science and continues to resonate far beyond specialist circles today.

In collaboration with European institutions and museums, we trace the journey of this extraordinary collector, dealer and researcher. Like few others before her, Mary Anning brought long-lost marine worlds to light: ichthyosaurs, plesiosaurs and pterosaurs are among the fascinating extinct animals made known through her finds. Each of her discoveries speaks of resilience, passion, knowledge and exceptional talent.

Experience Mary Anning’s most significant discoveries at the Munich Show and let our special guest speakers take you deep into the world of marine and flying reptiles. Immerse yourself in an era when a young woman from Lyme Regis changed science through courage, skill and perseverance.