Messel on Tour / A natural disaster following the extinction of dinosaurus

From January 6 to April 7, 2012

The exhibition shows 125 original fossils from the famous German site Messel (state Hesse). These unique fossils document extraordinary well the early stages of mammals‘ evolution. Some 45 species have been discovered there (predecessors of today’s horses, bats, opossums, lemur-like animals, rodents, and a primitive anteater). 

The site has become famous also thanks to the discovery of the fossil Darwinius masillae considered as one of the first primates, thus a representative of the evolution line leading to man. Besides mammals, the site is famous for finds of birds, crocodiles, snakes, frogs, and insects. Messel offers thus an insight into the history of Earth short after the extinction of dinosaurs that disappeared 65 million years ago. In the figurative meaning, Messel is called a palaeontological Pompeii. Today, thanks to its unique fossils, it is a strongly protected UNESCO Heritage Site. 

The exhibition is held under the auspices od Minister of the Culture, the Mayor of Brno Roman Onderka and UNESCO and ICOM organization.