Öhningen Fossils in Braunschweig: A Journey to Germany 14 Million Years Ago
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A Journey to Germany 14 Million Years Ago
What did Germany look like in the Miocene? Prof. Dr. Julien Kimmig's lecture takes the audience at the Natural History Museum Braunschweig to one of the most significant fossil sites in the country: the Miocene Öhningen Maar. On Wednesday, November 11, 2026, the view opens up to a long-lost landscape, whose traces remain visible today in exceptionally well-preserved fossils.
Fossils as Windows into Earth's History
The approximately 14 million years old Öhningen Maar is among the most famous fossil sites in Germany. More than 1,500 fossil species have been described from there. The finds tell stories of past habitats, climatic conditions, and a fauna that is hardly comparable to present-day Germany.
The Legendary Giant Salamander
In the spotlight is, among others, Andrias scheuchzeri, a fossil giant salamander with an unusual reception history. In the 18th century, the find was initially interpreted as the remains of a human sacrifice from the biblical flood. This curious misinterpretation shows how scientific knowledge and societal ideas change over time.
Making Paleontology Understandable
Prof. Dr. Julien Kimmig heads the department of paleontology and evolutionary research at the State Museum of Natural History Karlsruhe. His scientific work combines research, collection management, and public communication. The evening contextualizes the history of the site, presents notable fossils, and explains why such sites are important for understanding geological history and potential developments in Earth's history.
An Evening for Nature Enthusiasts and Knowledge Seekers
The event is aimed at anyone interested in fossils, geology, evolution, and the natural history of Germany. A focused museum atmosphere, illustrative insights, and expert explanations make the lecture a special event experience for adults, families with older children, and science enthusiasts.
Conclusion
The lecture combines scientific expertise with a fascinating journey through Earth's history. Those who want to experience how fossils make a long-lost Germany visible will find an equally educational and impressive evening on November 11, 2026, at the Natural History Museum Braunschweig.
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