In the gravel pit of Groß Pampau, located in the district of Herzogtum Lauenburg near Hamburg, Germany, members of a volunteer excavation team made a discovery: an almost completely preserved skeleton of a toothed whale that lived approximately eleven million years ago during the Miocene epoch in the ancient North Sea. According to T-Online, this find adds to the prominence of the site, which is regarded worldwide as a location for fossils from that era and has already yielded numerous specimens.
The discovery was made by Wolfgang Höpfner, the twin brother of Gerhard Höpfner, who led the excavation team for several years, according to N-TV. The Höpfner brothers dedicated considerable effort to unearthing the prehistoric treasures of the Groß Pampau gravel pit. Their commitment led to multiple finds, further establishing the site's importance in paleontological research.
The whale skeleton measured about 3.50 meters in length and was largely complete. From an area of approximately six square meters, the team recovered the skull with teeth, the shoulder blade, and a series of vertebrae—essentially an almost complete skeleton. As reported by Stern, the find was considered a rarity due to its good state of preservation. Such a well-preserved specimen offers invaluable insights into marine life during the Miocene epoch.
According to T-Online, researchers value the Groß Pampau site for its rich collection of prehistoric remains, which contributes to the understanding of the Earth's geological and biological history.
Researchers appreciate the Groß Pampau site not only for individual finds but also for the broader picture it offers of the Miocene epoch. Each discovery contributes to scientific understanding of the environmental conditions and life forms of that period. The gravel pit's status as a fossil site is reinforced by the continuous stream of finds, including the recent whale skeleton.
This article was written in collaboration with generative AI company Alchemiq