Eckfelder Maar, Paleontological excavation site in Rhineland-Palatinate, Germany.
Eckfelder Maar is a former volcanic crater that now functions as an excavation site stretching roughly 500 meters across. The terrain has stepped pathways and access routes that resemble a small quarry, with visible layers of rock formations clearly exposed in the walls.
Volcanic eruptions roughly 44 million years ago created a crater about 1000 meters across, which gradually transformed into a lake. The water body reached depths between 110 and 150 meters, shaping the landscape for an extended period.
The site takes its name from an ancient lake that formed within a volcanic crater. Visitors can explore fossils in the nearby museum and learn how life appeared in this region millions of years ago.
Vehicles cannot drive directly to the excavation site due to local access restrictions. Visitors should park at the nearby Eckfeld sports field and walk from there to reach the location.
Scientists have discovered over 30,000 significant specimens at this location, including the remains of the earliest known honey bee. The excavations also reveal traces of four different crocodile species that once inhabited the region.
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