Solnhofen (Germany)

Solnhofen, located in southern Germany, is famous for its exceptionally well-preserved fossils from the Late Jurassic period, around 150 million years ago. The area was once a lagoon with fine sediments that quickly buried and preserved organisms like insects, plants, and especially marine creatures. Its most famous discovery is Archaeopteryx, an early bird showing both dinosaur and bird features. The unique conditions in Solnhofen, including its oxygen-poor waters and fine limestone deposits, allowed for remarkable preservation of delicate structures, providing valuable insights into prehistoric life and evolution.