Exhibition: Fayolia sterzeliana - Fossil of the Year 2025

Location

entrance free

Every year, the Palaeontological Society honours special fossils with the title "Fossil of the Year". This not only emphasises their importance for science, but also recognises the people and institutions that find, research and exhibit these fossils.

in 2025, the choice fell on the fossil shark egg capsule Fayolia sterzeliana from the Lower Carboniferous of Chemnitz-Borna and Chemnitz-Glösa. The deposit in the north of the cultural capital has yielded even more sensational finds, including the oldest evidence of the giant centipede Arthropleura and the oldest quadruped remains in Germany. The shark eggs, which come from two different species of freshwater shark, are also the oldest finds of their type. A new special exhibition shows the habitat from 330 million years ago (and thus 40 million years before the Petrified Forest), when Chemnitz was not only on the equator but also in the southern hemisphere.

The special exhibition will be opened with a welcome address by the President of the Palaeontological Society. Lectures by Prof. Dr Jürgen Kriwet from Vienna and Dr Jan Fischer from the Palatinate - both proven experts on sharks and shark egg capsules - will provide a popular scientific introduction to the topic. Music, snacks and drinks will ensure a successful Capital of Culture event in a festive atmosphere. The presentation marks the start of the 50th annual meeting of the Vertebrate Palaeontology Working Group of the Palaeontological Society, which will take place on 15 and 16 March at the Museum für Naturkunde.