Solnhofen By. Allen Sisson

Germany Solnhofen

Solnhofen Limestone Fine Grained Limestone Jurassic Period Preserved rare fossils such as Jelly Fish The area was an archipelago at the edge of the Tethys Sea Part of a lagoon with little to no access to the ocean. Delicate organisms were washed into the lagoon from the Sea

The Lagoon dried up many times The sticky muds trapped insects and small dinosaurs. There have been over 600 species found in the limestone. The carbonate rich muds and clays preserved some of the most perfectly preserved fossils.

More The waters in the lagoon had depleted levels of O many times. Water was probably toxic at many intervals as well. This limestone is known for its fossils, not for quarrying.

Solnhofen’s most Famous Fossil

Found in 1960’s One of the largest specimens found. Only missing parts of tail, head, neck, and backbone. On display at Bürgermeister-Müller-Museum in Solnhofen. Part of a different genus and species.

Had a different number of toes. Length of 395 mm from toe to tail Had developed teeth and a long tail like dinosaurs, but had feathers. Probably could not fly.

References www.ucmp.berkeley.edu/mesozoic/jurassic/solnhofen.html en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Solnhofen_limestone Google Images http://www.britannica.com/eb/article-9009261/Archaeopteryx