Tambach-Dietharz (dpa/th) - According to the scientists, the largest and most beautiful centipede to date was found this year at the Bromacker fossil deposit in the Thuringian Forest. "It is really striking that there are particularly beautiful finds this year," said a scientist from the Friedenstein Castle Foundation about a week after the excavations began. Among them are insect wings, bones, grave marks, roots - but also fossil excrement, i.e. traces of faeces, have already been found.
Until the end of August, an international team including geologists and palaeontologists wants to retrieve finds from a time 290 million years ago between Georgenthal and Tambach-Dietharz. At this year's excavation, more than 40 scientists are documenting and researching the entire spectrum of the ecosystem of the time. According to the information, two deep wells are also planned on the Gallberg and on the Hainfelsen. A spokeswoman said that many interested people had already come by to accompany the team's work.
The excavations at Bromacker are part of an interdisciplinary research project that is scheduled to run until 2025 and investigates the early evolution of terrestrial vertebrates. The Bromacker is considered a globally significant fossil deposit. Over the past year, more than 200 boxes containing finds from the ursaurian resting place have been recovered.