Fossiliferous site of Messel

The fossiliferous site of Messel is an unused bituminous schist career. Because of its wealth of fossils, it has a great geological and scientific importance. It is classified with the world heritage since 1995 by UNESCO.

Localization

The site of Messel is located in Germany in the Hesse at approximately 35 km at the South-east of Frankfurt.

Characteristics

The rocks were formed during the Eocene average, there are 50 My approximately.

Fossils

Among the found fossils, one counts:

More: 10000 Poisson S of many species;
: 1000 Insect S watery and terrestrial, some with the preserved color;
a great number of small Mammalian S (of which most beautiful specimens of Leptictidium ) including/understanding horses Pygmies, mice, Primate S, the digger ones (Opossum S and Armadillo S) and bats;
a great number of Bird X, in particular of the predatory species;
Crocodile S, tortoise S, and others Reptile S
Frog S, salamander S and others Amphibian S;
more than 31 remainders of plants, such as sheets of palm tree, fruits, pollen, wood, nut, and bunches of grapes.

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