HAUFF fossils HOLZMADEN

Hardly anywhere else can the history of the Earth be demonstrated with such immediacy as at the Holzmaden fossil site. It was here, where visitors can see the fossilised dinosaurs, fish, sea lilies and ammonites in the Urweltmuseum Hauff, that these creatures lived during the Jurassic period. Fossils can be found throug- hout the world, but the exhibits on display in this museum are unique in their state of conservation and preparation. Immerse yourself in Holzmaden’s world of fossils: these unique witnesses to evolution grant us unparalleled insights into the secrets of the primeval world of 180 million years ago.

Welcome to the urweltmuseum hauff in holzmaden (hauff museum of the preh- istoric world) immerse yourself in the world of fossils: unique witnesses of evolu- tion that provide insights into the secrets of primeval times.

Rolf Bernhard Hauff When you allow your gaze to sweep over the hills of the Swabian Jura, it is difficult to imagine that the primeval Jurassic Sea surged here more than 180 million years ago. “Primordial era for the living-room”

this was how the Architectural Digest described the renowned address Hauff Fossils in its “Best of Germany” issue – an apt description, since the fossils from Holzmaden adorn not only the walls of museums and collections. Private collectors and the aesthetically-minded are likewise spellbound by the well-kept secrets of the prehistoric world that are hidden in the unfathomably ancient fossils. It is not kitsch, but beauty, grace, and aestheticism, coupled with the unimaginably long history of nature, that make up this unique fascination.

180,000,000 Fossils are to be found throughout the world, but the exhibits from Holzmaden are unique in terms of size and their state of conservation. The marine animals that died here 180 million years ago have been preserved in rare perfection by the particularly fine bottom sediment. Even today, researchers and discoverers find extremely well-preserved fossils, which as unique witnesses to evolution open up a small window to prehistoric times. Each and every find is unique – a rare, unmistakable jewel that cannot be reproduced, which requires a con- siderable expenditure of time and experience to prepare by hand. Each fossil represents a unique snapshot from prehistoric times: powerful, enduring and full of beauty.

The marine sludge from this period was transformed by fossilisation into layers of hard slate. It was only in the course of commercial mining in the slate quarries of Holzmaden that these secrets of nature were exposed, when fossils were discovered by chance as witnesses to a fascinating underwater world. Some 2,000 cubic meters of shale must be mined in order to reveal a well-preserved dinosaur. Each and every fossil is a rare, highly unique find that cannot be reproduced. Today, even the finest fossil structures can now be exposed from the slate. The prepared fossils are to be seen in museums throug- hout the world. And each new item represents a further piece in the jigsaw puzzle of the primeval world. The Urweltmuseum Hauff stands for the preparation of fossils of the highest quality.

Now in the third generation of the Hauff family, the experts prepare fossilised rarities such as ichthyosaurs, crocodiles and sea lilies from the layers of slate un- der scientific supervision. These fossils are unmatched in terms of fine detail and quality. Over the course of generations, the preparation techniques have been developed to perfection. A good eye and an ability to learn, patience, perseve- rance and a fine sense of judgement are necessary in the preparation of these beautiful fossils aged millions of years, because no machine can perform the delicate work that is carried out by hand. Not only anatomical knowledge of the filigree skeletons is important, but also the ability to continuously adapt to inno- vations in the preparation techniques. Today, even the finest fossil structures can now be exposed from the slate. In the case of some fossilised dinosaurs, it can be determined what they ate for their last meal: the anatomy and appearance of their prey can be identified on the basis of skin and soft tissue. These fossils serve as visual highlights in many museums, public buildings and private residences throughout the world. In the museum workshop, fossils are also prepared for retail sale. In a location separate from the museum building complex, fossils of all sizes await enthusiasts in the showroom. From wild marine predators to graceful sea lilies and ammonites, there is something here for every occasion and budget.

Fossils are also prepared for sale on the open market. In the sales room, which is separate from the museum complex, fossils of ichthyosaurs, marine crocodi- les, pterodactyls, sea lilies, fish, ammonites and belemnites are waiting to be purchased by interested connoisseurs. There are products here of various prices for every occasion – from much sought-after ammonite plates to rare ichthyo- saurs, the preparation of which takes several months. State Parliament of Baden-Württemberg, Stuttgart Marine crocodile (Steneosaurus), Ichthyosaur and ammonites from the Jurassic period Age: 180 million years

Robert Bosch GmbH, Gerlingen Schillerhöhe Colony of sea lilies (Seirocrinus) from the Jurassic period Age: 180 million years Festo AG & Co. KG, Esslingen-Berkheim Colony of sea lilies (Seirocrinus) from the Jurassic period Marine dinosaur (Ichthyosaurus) from the Jurassic period Age: 180 million years

Urweltmuseum Hauff

The largest privately owned natural history museum is located in the immediate vicinity of the slate quarries. The foundations for the Urweltmuseum Hauff were laid by Bernhard Hauff sen. with his first fossil finds, which he prepared for his collection before the turn of the century. The first Museum Hauff thus came into being in 1936/37 from his private collection. With the construction of the current museum from 1967 to 1971 and its extension in 1993, around 1,000 square metres of exhibition space are now available. Germany’s largest private natural history museum houses the best preserved and the most spectacular finds to be discovered over the last 150 years in Holzmaden, Ohmden and the surrounding area. The most impressive individual exhibit is the world’s largest colony of sea lilies, measuring over 100 square metres. Together with his wife Ute, Rolf Bernhard Hauff is now director of the museum in the third generation.

The preparators follow in a family tradition of high repute. The Museum of Natural History in Berlin, for example, is sending its exhibits to the workshop in Holzmaden for revision, 80 years after their preparation by Bernhard Hauff sen. They are to be presented to the public once more in 2017, in a new exhibition of marine dinosaurs in Berlin’s Museum of Natural History.

Discover the “Gallery of Unique Fossils” on our website: www.hauff-fossils.com

HAUFF fossils

Urweltmuseum Hauff Aichelbergerstrasse 90 D 73271 Holzmaden/Germany Telefon +49 70 23 / 80 66 Fax +49 70 23 / 46 18 [email protected] www.hauff-fossils.com