Smithsonian Natural History collection - photograph by Chip Clark courtesy of the Smithsonian

Take a look at the Smithsonian's incredible collection

126 million wonderful artefacts, most of which have been kept from public view - until now

As if you ever needed reminding of just what an incredible institution the Smithsonian is it's just released these amzing photos of just a small portion of the important artefacts in its massive inventory.

Among the exhibits at The Smithsonian Institution’s National Museum of Natural History in Washington, D.C you'll find: moon rocks the Hope Diamond, the fossilized skeleton of a Tyrannosaurus rex and ancient mummies dating back to 1200 BC. In total, the museum houses over 126 million scientific specimens and cultural relics - a large portion of which is kept out of the public view due to reasons of space. Until now.

Though the shelves in the photos are normally unseen by the general public, the Museum has offerered this rare view of what they contain in the photographs below. One word? Incredible. 

For more fantastic things housed in one place check out Phaidon's design compendium The Phaidon Archive of The Phaidon Archive of Graphic Design, The Art Museum and 20th-Century World Architecture

 

Smithsonian Natural History collection - photograph by Chip Clark courtesy of the Smithsonian
Smithsonian Natural History collection - photograph by Chip Clark courtesy of the Smithsonian
Smithsonian Natural History collection - photograph by Chip Clark courtesy of the Smithsonian
Smithsonian Natural History collection - photograph by Chip Clark courtesy of the Smithsonian
Smithsonian Natural History collection - photograph by Chip Clark courtesy of the Smithsonian
Smithsonian Natural History collection - photograph by Chip Clark courtesy of the Smithsonian
Smithsonian Natural History collection - photograph by Chip Clark courtesy of the Smithsonian
Smithsonian Natural History collection - photograph by Chip Clark courtesy of the Smithsonian