Meteorkratermuseum, Natural history museum in Steinheim am Albuch, Germany
The Meteorkratermuseum is a natural history museum in Steinheim am Albuch dedicated to the meteorite impact that created the local crater and the geological changes it caused. Exhibits feature life-sized replicas of prehistoric animals that lived in the crater lake period, along with fossils and rocks found in the area.
A meteorite struck the area around 15 million years ago, creating the Steinheim crater, one of Germany's best-preserved impact sites. This event reshaped the local geology and created new conditions for life to develop in the surrounding crater landscape.
The museum tells the story of the crater's formation and shows how this impact shaped the region's landscape and life for millions of years. Visitors can see how this geological event remains central to local identity and scientific understanding today.
The museum is easy to visit in good weather, as it sits directly beside the crater rim with outdoor areas to explore. Comfortable shoes are helpful since the surroundings include walking paths and natural crater features to discover.
Visitors can prepare their own small fossil discoveries in the museum's preparation room under professional guidance using compressed air tools. This hands-on experience helps people understand how paleontologists work and what skill and patience the process requires.
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