#messelpit

In 2020 I illustrated LOCKED IN TIME, written by Dr Dean Lomax. Here's my "Love in the Undergrowth" painting, depicting a herd and a copulating pair of Eurohippus (Messel Pit).

L is for... #leptictidium #eocene #mammals #mammalsofinstagram #eocenefossil #fossils #fossil #palaeontology #palaeontologist #naturalhistory #naturalhistoryillustration #elephantshrew #shrew #messel #messelpit #messelpitfossilsite https://www.instagram.com/p/B8mdESEJegS/?igshid=wyafog8r0k2o

Today was the first day of our #germany trip. Our first stop was the #messelpit #worldheritage site situated in the Bergerstraße-Odenwald UNESCO #geopark This incredible location is the discovery site of some of the world's best #eocene #fossils that were preserved in an anoxic lake that formed in the explosion crater of a maar volcano that erupted 43.7 million years ago. Messel is most famous for its mammals which include 70 specimens of ancestral horses, bats, anteaters, pangolins, tapirs, rhinos, and "Ida" the most complete primate fossil known. Other fossils 6 species of crocodiles, turtles, many birds, amphibians, fish and beautiful insect fossils as well as many plant species. The site is one of the world's Lagerstatten where exceptional circumstances have led to the preservation of soft tissues. In this case algal blooms probably led to anoxic conditions on the lake floor. Our second site of the day was the #hessischeslandesmuseumdamstadt where we saw many of the best Messel fossils on display. In the museum we also saw some Hunsrück Slate fossils (we will visit their discovery site on Sunday) and saw the zoological dioramas for which the museum is famous. Pic 1 shows the group at the entrance to the Messel Pit. Pic 2 shows the group on the Messel Pit observation platform. Pic 3 shows a replica of the famous "Ida" (Darwinius masillae) primate fossil. The original 2 halves are in the USA and Norway. Pic 4 shows a bat fossil, with the ears, wing membranes and fur preserved. Bats are the most numerous mammal fossils in Messel and the animals probably began overcome by toxic fumes as they flew over the lake. Pic 5 is a pregnant horse and foetus in the Hessisches Landesmuseun, Damstadt. Pic 6 shows a snake in the Hessisches Landesmuseun, Damstadt. Pic 7 shows a frog in the Hessisches Landesmuseun, Damstadt. Fossil amphibians are quite rare in the Messel Pit but the frogs are exquisitely preserved. Pic 8 is a crocodile in the Hessisches Landesmuseun, Damstadt. Pic 9 is of a Hunsrück Slate starfish and Pic 10 shows an Arctic diorama. (at Hessisches Landesmuseum Darmstadt) https://www.instagram.com/p/B3xHD5OpsiP/?igshid=5k2bx0fp48y9

O is for... #orohippus #palaeontology #naturalhistory #fossils #messelpit #naturalhistorymuseum #horses #evolution #eocene #paleogene #evolutionofhorses #eohippus https://www.instagram.com/p/BsTyccHBuaj/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=b69b39tj8ce