João Da Mata

Oxford University’s Museum of Natural History will permanently return 62 Brazilian fossils to Brazil to help rebuild the collection of the National Museum, much of which was destroyed in the 2018 fire. The fossils, originating in Paraná and Ceará, include ancient fish, insects, algae, trilobites and animal traces, some more than 400 million years old. Oxford will retain specimens currently under study or designated as type specimens for scientific reference. National Museum director Ronaldo Fernandes estimates that about 85% of the collection was lost, while recovery efforts have included international donations and the repatriation of cultural objects. Parts of the museum are already open, and full operations are expected by the end of 2029, although restoring thousands of rescued objects will take decades.