About > FCMA

The Fossil Collection of MACS (FCMA) started by Prof. Gangadhar Vasudev Chiplunkar, when he joined the Maharashtra Association of the Cultivation of Science (MACS), and established department of Geology and Palaeontology in 1960s. The very first collections of FCMA were made in 1969 with the late Cretaceous bivalve shells from the Nodular limestone of Bagh Beds. Today, the FCMA is established as the third largest fossil collection repository of India, after GSI Kolkata and BSIP Lucknow. The FCMA houses a rich collection of over 3000 mega fossils, which includes, mollusks, brachiopods, echinoderms, annelids, chordates, plant fossil and various trace fossils. Additionally, nearly 2000 microfossils type specimens of foraminifera, pollen and spores are also part of this collection. The type specimens housed at FCMA were collected from several sedimentary basins of Indian subcontinent and range from Permian to Quaternary in geological age.

The FCMA is well-equipped facility having modern facilities for type specimen systematic investigation, imaging, documentation and referencing. In addition, we encourage paleontological researchers from other academic/research/private/government institutions to submit their fossil collection at FCMA for preservation of national geological heritage and scientific curation of specimens.