Camp dels Ninots, Paleontological site in Caldes de Malavella, Spain
Camp dels Ninots is a location with fossils inside an ancient volcanic crater in Catalonia, where lake sediments have preserved remains from the Pliocene period with unusual detail. Deep boreholes into the crater allow scientists to study the rock layers and the animal bones they contain in a systematic way.
The volcano formed about 3.5 million years ago when magma met underground water, causing a powerful eruption that created the crater. After this event, water filled the crater and gradually layers of sediment built up, trapping the fossils inside.
The site draws researchers from around the world who study fossils and expand understanding of ancient animal life. This international research activity has made it an important center for exploring what prehistoric ecosystems looked like.
The site is explored through controlled boreholes that reach deep into the crater structure, giving access to fossil-bearing layers. Visitors should know that the location is remote and most findings are shared through research publications and museum exhibits.
The fossilized skeletons of tapirs, cattle, rhinoceroses, and turtles were preserved in their natural positions, offering rare views into how they lived. These complete finds are unusual worldwide and show how quickly the animals were buried after death.
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