One hundred years ago, on 17 January 1912, Captain Scott and his team of explorers famously reached the South Pole. It is remembered as a tragic expedition. After being beaten to the Pole by a Norwegian team led by Roald Amundsen, the whole team perished on the return journey. What is less well known is that Scott’s team made some incredible scientific discoveries during their time in Antarctica.

While the Norwegians had set out only to be the first to reach the Pole, Scott and his team were also doing scientific research.

They gathered a huge number of samples, including plant fossils and specimens of 401 animals and fish that had never been seen before. They were also the first to collect undamaged emperor penguin eggs.

Their discoveries helped scientists in many areas of research, including the study of evolution and the geographical history of the Earth.

The search party that found the team’s tent also discovered rolls of photographs and lots of important notes, including Scott’s diary.

Scott also left behind a letter to his wife, in which he talked about his two-year-old son, Peter: “Make the boy interested in natural history if you can. It is better than games.” Peter Scott grew up to become a famous conservationist and ornithologist.

The team died in the terrible conditions, which included temperatures of minus 40°C. However, despite its tragic end, Scott’s expedition made a huge contribution to science and the results are still important today.