Tertiärwelt Aubenham: A Journey Through Time

Tertiärwelt Aubenham invites visitors to step back in time and explore the unique geological history of Bavaria. Located in the serene countryside of Oberbergkirchen, this outdoor attraction showcases the region's landscape as it was approximately 9 million years ago during the Tertiary period. The site is centered around a former clay pit where Heinz Josef Unger discovered fossilized leaf remains in the 1970s. These fossils, dated to around 9 million years old, represent the only find of this period in Bavaria. The clay pit has been transformed into an open-air exhibit, displaying a variety of fossils, predominantly leaves from trees like plane trees, spiny oaks, and maples. Informative panels provide details about the finds, the climate of the time, and the landscape. Adding to the immersive experience, a recreated Tertiary forest features plants that grew in the region during that era. While many of these species no longer exist in Central Europe, they can be found in subtropical regions of China and North America. Visitors can wander through the forest, gaining insight into the differences between the Tertiary plant world and modern-day vegetation. Tertiärwelt Aubenham is not only a place of geological significance but also a designated Geotope of Bavaria. This designation recognizes the site's importance in preserving and showcasing Earth's history. The area around Aubenham was once part of a vast river system, the Molassissippi, with exotic animals like elephants and crocodiles inhabiting the landscape.