Logo of the Capital of Culture 2025

Fossil of the year 2025

Presentation of the shark egg capsule Fayolia sterzeliana

Cr.: P: Dr. Jan Fischer, Thallichtenberg. / I: Dr. Frederik Spindler (PALAEONAVIX).

Not only is Chemnitz world-renowned as a finding locality of unique fossils — the word “fossil” itself is a Chemnitz invention. In 1546, the Chemnitz mayor and polymath Georgius Agricola introduced it to the scientific literature. Since 2008, the German Palaeontological Society promotes important fossils as the “Fossil of the Year”. After 2010, 2015, and 2023, the Chemnitz Museum of Natural History celebrates this honour already for the fourth time. It was awarded to the 330 million-year old fossil shark egg capsule Fayolia sterzeliana from Chemnitz-Borna and Glösa, some 40 million years older than the Petrified Forest of Chemnitz. During the presentation on the occasion of the 50th annual meeting of vertebrate palaeontologists, the Museum of Natural History unveils a new exhibition ensemble. 

European Capital of Culture The Federal Government Commissioner for Culture and Media Free State of Saxony European Capital of Culture

This project is cofinanced by tax funds on the basis of the parliamentary budget of the state of Saxony and by federal funds from the Beauftragte der Bundesregierung für Kultur und Medien (Federal Government Commissioner for Culture and Media), as well as funds from the City of Chemnitz.