University of Lorraine

The universitary palaeontological collections in Nancy (CPUN) are preserved at the Faculté des Sciences et Technologies (FST) at Vandoeuvre.

They are a part of the paleontological heritage of Lorraine that is shared among the Museum-Aquarium of Nancy, the ENSG, and the FST. The CPUN are composed of collections that are used for educational purposes, and collections that were and still are used for research. They are also frequently used in science communication events.

Historically, these collections originated from the split that occurred between the ENSG and the FST after 1968. Since then, they have been enriched by various works in paleontology, and include types, figured specimens, and objects cited in scientific publications, dissertations, and PhD thesis. They also include various donations.

The CPUN also includes collections from : R. Zeiller (Paleobotany Carboniferous), M. Hanzo (Liassic from Lorraine), J. Le Roux (Dogger from Lorraine), P. Coiffait (Cenozoic micromammals), B. Lathuilière (extant and extinct corals, and Jurassic fauna), B. Michel (Bathonian from Longuyon), C. Carpentier (Oxfordian from Lorraine) E. Poirot (Bathonian et Oxfordian from Lorraine), H. Haddoumi (Oxfordian Terrain à chailles from Lorraine), B. Martin-Garin (Oxfordian corals), A. Lefort (flora and faunas from the Paris Basin of the Oxfordian and Kimmeridgian), S. Zaman (Jurassic corals), R. Vasseur (Liassic corals), C. David (Oxfordian faunas), N. Habrant (Oxfordian from Jura), L. Nori (Gryphaea), D. Geisler et J. Castaing (Bajocian drillings)…

Access: The collections do not have a dedicated staff; thus, their access is restricted to researchers and expert amateurs, upon requests only. A yearly visit is organized for the public during the “Journées du Patrimoine” (French Heritage days).

Article L. 1236 6 of the Code de l’éducation (Education code) states that higher education public service “participates in the study and the enhancement of national and regional patrimonial elements. It ensures the preservation and enrichment of the collections housed by institutions”. Thus, the preservation of scientific heritage is recognized as an explicit goal for the University to uphold.
Contact : bernard.lathuiliere@univ-lorraine.fr

The cabinets room of the research collection © B. Lathuilière 2020


Aisle in the cabinets room. Each cabinets can hold 18 trayx measured 50x50cm © B. Lathuilière 2020


Microscopy thin sections collection. These section are from the main shaft of the ANDRA study center at Bure (500m depth). Fossils and facies fill 27 cabinets in the CPUN collection. © B. Lathuilière 2020

Small sample of a Trigonia sp. population, from Bathonian from Longuyon (collection Benoit Michel/ A. Navel). © B. Lathuilière 2020


Undetermined shelled Dactylioceratidae preserved from the Toarcian borehole at Tranqueville 3. Collection M. Hanzo. © B. Lathuilière 2020


Sample showcasing fossil remains associated to the first black coal drillings in Meurthe et Moselle at the begining of the 20th century, under the supervision of R. Nicklès. Here is a drilling from Lesménils with the evidence of the identification by R. Zeiller, and the recorded depth level. © B. Lathuilière 2020


Isastrea bernardiana, silicified bajocian coral MIL 11 from Milly (Saône et Loire) studied by B. Lathuilière (2000). © B. Lathuilière 2020


Lebachia piniformis from Permian at Lodève, collected by R. Nicklès at either the end of the 19th century or begining of the 20th (teaching collection). © B. Lathuilière 2020


Lumachelle with Entolium, indicator of the begining of the cannabine Oolite formation. Viterne, Meurthe et Moselle. Coll. B. Lathuilière . © B. Lathuilière 2020


Montastrea cavernosa Scléractiniaire, extant sample. Teaching collection. Jamaica. Inherited from the C. Monty collection. © B. Lathuilière 2020