Our collections include tens of thousands of scientific specimens that are important to understanding the natural history of the southeastern US. Among these, the largest and most active is the paleontological collection, which includes materials from the early Pliocene-aged Gray Fossil Site and regional Quaternary faunas. We also curate a large zoology collection with geographic strengths in the Southeastern and Southwestern US. These collections are curated for the purposes of scientific research and education. All of our scientific collections are preserved in a public trust for the people of Tennessee. The acronym for our museum is ETMNH, which stands for East Tennessee State University Museum of Natural History collections.
Paleontology Collections
The paleontology collections are housed in a modern, climate-controlled, secure facility.
While the majority of fossils in this collection are from the Gray Fossil Site (early
Pliocene), we also curate paleontological materials from elsewhere in Tennessee, the
southern Appalachians, and surrounding states. Significant collections include Quaternary
mammals from Saltville, Virginia and from regional cave and karst deposits. The collections
room is designed to accommodate researchers and students, and includes communal workstations
and tools for research.
- Over 30,000 fossils cataloged, including vertebrates, invertebrates, and plants.
- A significant investment in digital infrastructure, incorporating digital collections management, 3D models, and digital document archives.
Over 500 hours per year logged by internal and external researchers using these collections.
Over 300 hours per year logged by students and volunteers helping to house and manage collections.
Policies
Students in Paleontology and visiting researchers commonly request access to the Collections
to study ancient species of plants and animals that once lived in this area, some
that have been discovered no where else on Earth. Contact Matthew Inabinett (inabinettc@mail.etsu.edu)
with questions about ETSU research policies.
Zoology Collections
The ETSU Gray Fossil Site & Museum began curating modern vertebrate specimens in 2001,
and the collections have grown dramatically through donations and researcher acquisitions.
The zoology collections serve primarily as a comparative anatomy and osteology resource
for researchers in paleontology and archaeology. They are also heavily used for teaching
experiences in university classrooms, museum programming, and community outreach.
- Over 7,000 modern animal specimens, predominantly mammals and reptiles.
- Hundreds of specimens from outside of North America.
World-class comparative osteology collection with regional strengths in the Southeastern and Southwestern US.
Digital Collections
We are currently trying to make our collections more available to everyone! In recent years, the ability to accurately digitize natural history specimens has led to major advances across many disciplines. Our museum supports these and future efforts through a concerted effort to digitize and provide access to specimens within our care. Over the next few years, we are re-envisioning how we distribute our collections to the public. New and emerging technologies are providing more dynamic and effective platforms for communicating our science and removing barriers to collections access.
To date, we have 3D scanned hundreds of specimens in our collections, including modern and fossil animals, and plants. This is a very active area of research, and we are constantly exploring new ways to make our 3D digitization program faster, more accurate, and more flexible.
Our capabilities are:
- Artec Space Spider surface scanner
- Artec Eva surface scanner
- Next Engine Laser Texture scanner
- Photogrammetry workstations
Collaborative agreements with local institutions housing medical or micro computed tomography instrumentation
At this time, you can find 3D digitized specimens from our collections on the Gray Fossil Site & Museum Sketchfab page.