Fossils – traces in the stone
Exciting fossil hunt
Discover fossils and puzzle over what the imprints on the stones mean. Collecting the most beautiful pieces – what could fire the imagination of young and old explorers more than searching for fossils, because fossils are windows into the long history of the surrounding landscape.
200 million years ago, the tropical Jurassic Sea covered what is now southern Germany with coral reefs, beaches and gingko trees. Sounds like a pure vacation. Countless prehistoric fish, mammals, snails and mussels romped around here and eventually found their grave on the seabed.
Layer after layer was deposited. After the primordial sea dried up, the stones left us the imprints of the animals and plants of that time. The most beautiful skeletal ornaments can be seen on countless slate and limestone slabs.
Nusplinger Plattenkalk
Where can you find the fossils?
Fossils can be found on farmland, in dried-up riverbeds or simply by the wayside. Ammonites or fragments of them are most commonly found. It is best to look for them at designated tapping sites, where you can uncover fossils at will. However, you should definitely report any unusual finds, as there could be something sensational behind them.
One of the most exciting sites is the Westerberg between Egesheim and Nusplingen. This is where the so-called Nusplinger Plattenkalke limestones are found.
Unique finds such as the completely preserved imprints of sea angels, which were ray-like sharks, make the site a paradise for fossil collectors. A large part of the slab quarry is now protected, but a geological nature trail and a designated tapping area offer plenty of opportunities for activities.
Original finds
The most important original finds are on display at the Baden-Württemberg Natural History Museum in Stuttgart. Here you can learn almost everything about the origin and development of life since prehistoric times.
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AlbCard
By the way, absolutely attractive: the AlbCard – the guest card for the whole of the Swabian Alb – is also available from selected businesses in the Donaubergland.
