Nigel Larkin Curator of Geology

Nigel Larkin B.A.(Hons), M.Sc.

Nigel Larkin at work on one of the tusks
of West Runton Elephant

Responsible for: Curation of the Geology collections

Please note:
Nigel Larkin will be away from the museum on sabbatical from May 1st 2008 to 30th April 2009. During this time period all geology related enquries should be directed to David Waterhouse on 01603 495883 or david.waterhouse@norfolk.gov.uk.

Deals with enquiries about:
Geology (fossils, rocks, minerals and meteorites), osteology (bones), palaeolithic archaeology, climate change and natural history conservation.

Research interests:
The preparation, conservation and care of palaeontological material, Pleistocene fossils and trace fossils including coprolites.

Nigel is a Palaeontologist specialising in the excavation, preparation, conservation, storage and display of geological, palaeontological, archaeological and osteological material. He is an Associated Member of the Ancient Hominid Occupation of Britain Project (see http://www.nhm.ac.uk/hosted_sites/ahob/ ) - a seven-year NERC funded project co-ordinated by the Natural History Museum, the British Museum and various Universities. He is also a fellow of the Royal Geographical Society, a committee member of the Geological Society of Norfolk (http://www.norfolkgeology.co.uk) and was a Committee Member of the Natural Sciences Conservation Group until it merged with the Biological Curators Group to form the Natural Sciences Collections Association (NatSCA). He is also a member of the Earth Sciences Teachers Association and the Institute of Conservation.

After completing his undergraduate degree Nigel worked for five years as a conservator in the Palaeontology Conservation Unit of The Natural History Museum, London, on two major projects: the conservation and redisplay of a large collection of scientifically and historically important Jurassic marine reptiles, and the preparation, conservation, mounting and installation of fossil material and replicas for the new dinosaur gallery which opened in 1992. During this time he completed a Master of Science degree in Vertebrate Palaeontology at University College London.

After working at the Natural History Museum full time for five years his project-funded contracts came to an end and Nigel joined Norfolk Museums and Archaeology Service to manage the West Runton Elephant Conservation Project, externally financed by the Heritage Lottery Fund. After the West Runton Elephant Conservation Project was completed, Nigel became the Curator of Geology for Norfolk Museums and Archaeology Service.

Publications:

Displaying dinosaurs at the Natural History Museum, London. Lindsay, W., Larkin, N. and Smith, N. (1996). Curator, The Museums Journal, 39/4.

Plastic containers: a comparison. Larkin, N., Makridou, E. and Comerford, G. (1998). The Conservator, 22.

Comparing gap-fillers used in conserving sub-fossil material. Larkin, N. and Makridou, E. (1999). The Geological Curator 7 (2), 81-90.

Using experimental studies of recent faecal material to examine hyaena coprolites from the West Runton Freshwater Bed, Norfolk, England. Larkin, N., Alexander, J., and Lewis, M. (2000). Journal of Archaeological Science 27, 19-31.

Analysis of volatile organic compounds in plastic containers used for museum storage. Larkin, N., Makridou, E. and Blades, N. (2000). The Conservator, 24.

Conservation of Late Miocene Fossils in Abu Dhabi. Larkin, N., Chapter 4 in "Abu Dhabi 8 Million Years Ago: Late Miocene Fossils From the Western Region". Editors: Mark Beech & Peter Hellyer, ADIAS 2005. ISBN 9948-03188-1.

Out Of Eden: The Eden Project Companion. Contributing author. Published by Eden Project Books, 2005. ISBN 1-903-91926-6.

Art at the Rockface: The Fascination of Stone in Art. Moore, A.W. and Larkin, N. (2006). Published by Phillip Wilson, 2006. 96pp.

Art at the Rockface - making an exhibition on the fascination of stone. Larkin, N. and Moore, A.W. (2006). Deposits, issue 5, 34-37.

The earliest appearance of Norwegian indicator erratics in the glacial succession of Northeast Norfolk. Hoare, P.G., Larkin, N.R. and Connell, E.R (2006). Quaternary Research Association Bulletin.

Contact details:
Telephone 01603 493645 & 01362 860915
Fax: 01603 493623

Postal address:
Nigel R. Larkin BA MSc
Curator and Conservator,
The Natural History Department,
Norfolk Museums and Archaeology Service,
Norwich Castle Study Centre,
Shirehall,
Market Avenue,
Norwich,
Norfolk
NR1 3JQ.

Website:
http://www.museums.norfolk.gov.uk

© NMAS | Conditions of use | Privacy policy | Glossary of terms | Contact us