Thuringia: Discovery of a new species inspires paleontologists

Thuringia: Discovery of a new species inspires paleontologists

The importance of Thuringia in paleontology has achieved another highlight through a remarkable find. In the famous Bromacker Fossilfundstätte, which is part of the UNESCO Global Geoparks Thuringia Inselsberg-three same, researchers have discovered a new way. This discovery could not only inspire the scientific community, but also the local population.

A groundbreaking discovery in Thuringia

The researchers, led by Jasper Ponstein, carried out CT scans to fossils that were discovered in the Bromacker Fossil Fundstelle. This is an important place for understanding the evolution of the agricultural vertebrates because it houses the oldest known ecosystem in which many herbivorous animals occur. Skeletons have been found impressively over the years, including those of the diadectomorphic that offer important insights into evolutionary development.

The exciting Fossil Fundstätte

In 2020, a joint research project between the Museum für Naturkunde Berlin, the Friedenstein Foundation Gotha and the Friedrich Schiller University Jena started. It processes the fossil fundstelle, which is considered a unique fossil ecosystem. The importance of this research extends beyond Thuringia, since the discoveries here provide essential information about the earliest forms of modern life.

What does that mean for society?

The new way that bears the name Diadectes trimilegen is named after the geopark and symbolizes the connection between science and homeland. The find not only sparked the interest of the paleontologists, but could also increase the region's tourism economy. The possibility of finding something so important in a UNESCO Geopark can raise awareness of the local history and the meaning of fossils.

Technological progress in paleontology

The use of modern techniques such as computer tomography (CT) enabled the researchers to recognize details that would not be visible using traditional methods. In this way, they were able to examine pathological features and adjustments of the teeth in diadectomorphic, which led to the realization that these animals specialized and adapted their diet - which provides essential information about survival in previous ecosystems.

These important progress in research make it clear that Thuringia is not only a geographical place, but also a center for important scientific discoveries. The community is proud of these progress and increases awareness of the valuable natural resources that are hidden in the region.