Wednesday, September 1, 2010

9/1/2010 Homework, World Heritage

Here is my one-page essay about the World Heritage Site
The Messel Pit is and old ababdon coal mine from the eighteen hundreds that has been the location for some of the world's best fossil finds. The Messel Pit is located in the middle part of Germany, South of Frankfurt and is named from the nearby village of Messel.

The fossils found in the Messel Pit are from the Eocene Epoch of the Paleogene Period about 47 million years ago. This site is special due to the extensive preservation of these ancient living structures as well as the quantity of the fossils being found. Some of the best finds are including fur, feathers, skin, and completely articulated skeletons of vertebrates. These are preserved so well because of the lakes that once dotted the area. The lakes were very equipped to halt or slow any process of decay caused by other species. This due to the lack of current at the bottom of these lakes which then made a low oxygen content for many species to breakdown the "fossil to be" Also at the time of the Eocene Epoch, it is believed that a volcanic region of Africa that was producing of volcanic gases is what killed the large number of animals found in the pit. Animals including birds, reptiles, horses, rodents, and primates. The unique preserved animals are some of the earliest mammals and that is what makes the Messel pit a magnet for paleontologist from all around the world.

The Messel Pit was declared a World Heritage site on December 9, 1995. At the time preventing plans of a landfill located on the geological treasure was the main goal of the scientist but now tourism to the site is brightening the future of the Messel Pit. Now that it is forever protected, it will bring insight into a lost topical landscape that is still yielding discoveries today.

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