Treasures at the Natural History Museum

With 70 million specimens to choose from, staff at the Natural History Museum in London found it difficult to pick just 22 objects showcasing their most valuable treasures.

From Charles Darwin's pigeons to a lump of moon rock - by way of London Zoo's famous resident Guy the Gorilla - a new permanent gallery is opening to celebrate the museum's most prized items.

Here - with project director Meg MacDonald - take a look at some of the inspiring items that have helped our understanding and increased our knowledge of the natural world.

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Music by Repertoire Music. Slideshow production by Paul Kerley. Publication date 26 November 2012.

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