Fossillagerstätte Grube Messel

The Messel Pit southeast of Darmstadt is one of the most important fossil sites in the world. Visitors are given a unique insight into an ecosystem from around 47 million years ago. The exceptionally well-preserved fossils are particularly remarkable - including prehistoric horses, crocodiles, birds and even stomach contents. The pit has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1995 because the site provides an incomparably complete picture of early mammal evolution. The quality and diversity of the fossils is almost unique in the world.