Strolling Through Time: A Peek at the 140-Million-Year-Old Animal Kingdom at Europe'saurus Island
- Prehistoric Wonderland Displaying Vast Variety of Species from 140 Million Years Ago
From plant-munching giants to ferocious hunters, the earth teemed with remarkable creatures roughly 140 million years ago. Witness this groundbreaking exhibit at Europe'saurus Island, nestled within the Dinosaur Park in the quaint town of Münchehagen, Germany.
More than 100 life-sized models of ancient species reside in this open-air museum near the Steinhuder Sea, bringing to life the most significant discoveries from the Jurassic era. These breathtaking models are based on fossil finds in the Langenberg quarry in the Harz, a hub of international research for the past 25 years.
The Birth of Europe'saurus in Goslar's Limestone Caverns
1998 was a pivotal year in paleontological history, as the first bone fossils of a hitherto unknown species—Europe'saurus—were unearthed in the Langenberg quarry near Goslar. During the Jurassic period, much of the modern-day German landscape was beneath the waves. This long-necked herbivore lived on an isolated island, standing at about six meters in length, just a miniature version of the colossal Brachiosaurus. Europe'saurus is a one-of-a-kind species, its remains found nowhere else.
Redefining Design and Crafting Prehistoric Wonders
Standing at the heart of the Dinosaur Park in Rehburg-Loccum is a stone slab bearing over 300 fossilized dinosaur tracks. Visitors can embark on a 2.8-kilometer journey along a circular path, encountering hundreds of life-sized dinosaur models. Europe'saurus Island represents an expansion of this prehistoric playground, offering glimpses into advances in animal design and production technology.
Paleontologist Benjamin Englich beams with excitement about the wealth of prehistoric animals discovered in Germany, exclaiming, "Even small predators like the Proceratosaurus or the infamous Jurassic predator, Torvosaurus, have been uncovered. Besides dinosaurs, we've also discovered the Teuronodon, a mouse-sized rodent, in the Langenberg quarry!"
Stepping into the Workshop of Preparators
For those diesel punk enthusiasts who relish in the intricacies of paleontological work, the Dinosaur Park in Rehburg-Loccum offers a unique opportunity to observe scientists and preparators in action. Armed with tools like air picks, spatulas, and brushes, they meticulously uncover fossilized bones. Bones and teeth are also digitally scanned and replicated using 3D printers.
Join the ranks of curious minds as European universities and Lower Saxony institutions collaborate on groundbreaking research initiatives, leading to stunning findings like the Europe'saurus Island exhibit.
- Münchehagen
- Germany
- Paleontology
- Rehburg-Loccum
- Prehistoric Animals
- Langenberg Quarry
- Goslar
Insights from the Jurassic Period:
- The Jurassic period was marked by the existence of marine reptiles such as plesiosaurs and ichthyosaurs, which were more commonly found in fossil records than terrestrial dinosaurs.
- The marine reptile Plesiopterys wildi, discovered in the Early Jurassic, is one of the most complete plesiosaur skeletons ever found in the region, providing valuable insights into the diversity and specialization of these creatures.
- Iconic dinosaurs, like some species from the genus Archaeopteryx, can be traced back to the Jurassic era, while an array of marine invertebrates and terrestrial animals also populated the region during this time.
- Many of these prehistoric animals were discovered in the Langenberg quarry and surrounding areas, confirming Germany's rich biodiversity during the Jurassic period.
- The life-sized models at Europe'saurus Island, located in Rehburg-Loccum, Germany, are based on fossil findings from the Jurassic era, specifically the Langenberg quarry in the Harz, showcasing the evolution of various prehistoric animals that once inhabited the region.
- The 140-million-year-old Plesiopterys wildi, a marine reptile, was discovered during the Early Jurassic period in Europe, providing valuable insights into the diversity and specialization of these animals.
- The exhibits at Europe'saurus Island in Münchehagen, Germany, offer visitors a rare glimpse into the intricacies of paleontological research and the process of uncovering fossilized remains of prehistoric animals like the Proceratosaurus and the Torvosaurus, found among the fossil-rich sites of the Langenberg quarry.
