Somosaguas fossil site

Somosaguas is a paleontological excavation site located on the Complutense University campus in Pozuelo de Alarcón with two separate zones: Somosaguas North and Somosaguas South. These areas are about 60 meters apart and contain fossil-bearing rock layers with different compositions and ages.

A geology student discovered bone fragments near the Faculty of Political Sciences in 1989, which sparked initial interest in the area. Systematic excavations started in 1998 under the direction of Professor Nieves López Martínez.

The site regularly opens to visitors through organized days and workshops where you can watch paleontologists work. These sessions show you how experts carefully remove fossils from rock and the skills required for this delicate work.

The site requires advance coordination before visiting and is located on the Complutense University campus next to the Faculty of Political Sciences. Plan your visit during active excavation periods when researchers are working on the ground.

Researchers discovered an exceptional concentration of over 400 fossils in just 50 kilograms of sediment at Somosaguas South. This unusual density of small animal remains makes the site one of the richest of its kind and provides rare insights into ancient life.