Life-size dinosaur models conquer the Cottbus City Museum!

Life-size dinosaur models conquer the Cottbus City Museum!

From Thursday, the Cottbus City Museum will be the site of prehistoric giants: life-size models of dinosaurs and other fascinating creatures will move in there. This exhibition is being held thanks to the commitment of the Historical Local History Association Cottbus e. V. and the support of the city of Cottbus's inner city fund. Particularly noteworthy is the funding from the federal program “Sustainable Inner Cities and Centers”, which brings a breath of fresh air into the cultural landscape. The ceremonial handover of the exhibition will take place on July 3, 2025 and promises to be a real highlight in the region.

The exhibition includes impressive exhibits, including the Ichthyosaurus, an ichthyosaur, and the Archeopteryx, the first bird in the history of the earth. The giant dragonfly, a floating ammonite and the armored trilobite are also part of this journey back in time. What is particularly exciting is that the models are based on scientific findings and fossil finds, which gives visitors an authentic insight into the history of the earth. Niederlausitz Aktuell reports that this exhibition usefully complements the natural history and urban history presentation in the museum.

New Ichthyosaurus discovery causes a stir

Following on from the theme of the city museum, a recent find in the world of paleontology is particularly noteworthy. Scientists from the UK and Germany have discovered an Ichthyosaurus that is believed to have been pregnant at the time of its death. The find, estimated to be 3 to 3.5 meters long, provides invaluable insights into the lifestyle and reproduction of these impressive marine reptiles. Manchester University explains that these creatures lived around 90 million years ago and are often misidentified as dinosaurs. The largest known species even reached a length of over 20 meters.

Historically, ichthyosaurs lived from the Early Triassic to the Late Cretaceous and were the first air-breathing animals with a body structure similar to that of modern-day whales. Its name literally means “fish-lizard,” which already indicates its unique body structure that distinguished it from all other reptiles. While the exact position within their evolutionary line is still controversial, their wealth of fossils and their preservation conditions are continually being investigated. Palaeontology Online states that there are over 102 valid species of ichthyosaurs worldwide and that their adaptations to life in the ocean raise fascinating questions.

The coming weeks at the Cottbus City Museum will not only offer an opportunity for a trip into the past, but will also strengthen the connection to research and discovery in paleontology. A visit is worthwhile for young and old to experience the secrets of prehistoric times up close!