Fossil sites: Messel Pit Fossil Site (Germany), Monte San Giorgio (Switzerland and Italy), Miguasha National Park (Canada), Dinosaur Provincial Park (Canada), Canadian Rocky Mountain Park (Canada), Joggins Fossil Cliff (Canada), ischigualasto/Talampaya Natural Park (Argentina), Riversleigh/Naracote (Australia), WadiAl-Hitan (Whale Valley) (Egypt), etc.
I. Messerkeng Fossil Site
(A) the characteristics of the heritage
The German Messer Fossil Site is located in the south of Frankfurt, Hesse, near darmstadt, with geographical coordinates of 49 55 ′ 00 ″ north latitude and 8 45 ′14 ″ east longitude, covering an area of 70 hectares. Messer Fossil Site shows the Eocene living environment from 57 million to 36 million years, and it is one of the richest sites in the world. In particular, it provides extremely rare information about the early evolution of mammals in this period, including particularly well-preserved mammalian fossils, from intact joint bones to stomach. Mammals in fossil sites are quite rich and well preserved, including marsupials, strange ungulates, rodents and other animal fossils. There are countless fossils of fish, birds and insects, and some plant fossils have been found, such as Selaginellaceae, Osmundaceae and Lygodium.
(2) Heritage tourism
In order to let the public better understand the value of Messer fossil sites, site managers give necessary guidance to tourists to watch fossils. There are now three museums in this area that have long displayed the discovery of fossil sites in Messer.
The most striking feature of the fossil site in Messer is that the fine structures of many animals, such as down and feathers, are clearly distinguishable, which is really a wonder. Paleogene animal and plant remains have been well protected in the site. The fossil species preserved in this site (a large number of fish, birds, large carnivores, insects, vascular plants and fungi) are second to none in quality, and the number is also considerable. So far, thousands of fossil specimens have been unearthed. However, it is worrying that Messer fossil sites may be destroyed for a long time due to over-exploitation. People still hold different views on the importance of fossil resources and their protection. In addition, the factory is located in the main area of Frankfurt, with a high degree of urbanization and a high population density. Therefore, it is a long way to go to protect the fossil sites in Messer.
From 65438 to 0995, Messerkeng Fossil Site, as a natural heritage, was listed in the World Heritage List by UNESCO World Heritage Committee.
2. Mont Saint George
(A) the characteristics of the heritage
St George's Mountain in Switzerland is pyramid-shaped, with an altitude of1096m. Located in the south of Ticino, the geographical coordinates are 45 53' 20 "north latitude and 8 54' 50" east longitude, with a core area of 65,438+0,089 hectares and a buffer area of 3,207 hectares. This site is considered to be the best record of marine life in Triassic (2.45 million to 2.3 million years). This stratum records the organisms in the tropical lagoon environment, which are separated from the open sea by the sheltered part of the offshore reef. Various marine life lives in the lagoon, including reptiles, fish, bivalves, ammonites, echinoderms and crustaceans. Because the lagoon is close to the land, fossils also include some terrestrial biochemical stones: reptiles, insects and plants. This producing area is rich in fossil resources.
The fossil origin of Mount St. George records the unique Triassic marine fossils, as well as important terrestrial biochemical stones. There are many kinds of well-preserved fossils in this area, which provide fossil evidence for the study of marine Triassic biological evolution.
(2) Heritage tourism
/kloc-For more than 0/00 years, as one of the important producing areas of Triassic marine fossils, Mount St. George has always attracted many paleontologists and is also a place that paleontologists yearn for. The fossil wealth of Mount St. George has long attracted the attention of the world. Up to now, more than 1000 kinds of fossil specimens have been found, including 30 kinds of reptiles, 80 kinds of fish, 1000 kinds of invertebrates and a large number of microfossils. Visitors can enjoy the records of prehistoric biological evolution and explore the mysteries of nature here.
In 2003, Mount St. George, as a natural heritage, was included in the World Heritage List by the UNESCO World Heritage Committee, and it was expanded on 20 10.
3. Alberta Dinosaur Provincial Park.
(A) the characteristics of the heritage
There is a world-famous dinosaur park in Red Deer Valley in the southwest corner of Alberta, Canada. Its geographical coordinates are 50 46 ′ 04 ″ north latitude and1129 ′ 32 ″ west longitude, covering an area of 7,493 hectares. The terrain of this park is very strange. The land here is barren and desolate, and the wasteland has different forms. Rock terraces, low-lying valleys, natural stone pillars, peaks and sedimentary rocks constitute a spectacle. It is also the largest producer of dinosaur fossils found in the late Mesozoic Cretaceous in the world so far.
In addition to the beautiful scenery, Alberta dinosaur park has many extremely important fossils called "reptile age", especially about 35 kinds of dinosaur fossils, which can be traced back to 75 million years ago.
In the Cretaceous period 75 million years ago, what is now East Alberta is a vast shallow sea plain. The climate is warm and humid, belonging to subtropical climate. There are many kinds of creatures, besides a large number of prosperous dinosaurs, there are fish, amphibians, reptiles, primitive mammals, birds and animals. Dinosaurs are a kind of Mesozoic terrestrial reptiles. Some of these dinosaurs were herbivores and some were carnivores. They live freely on land or near swamps, which can be said to be a dragon-fearing world.
Since the excavation from 65438 to 2009 in the 1980s, more than 300 well-preserved dinosaur bones of 35 different types have been found along the coast of Malu Valley, which is about 27 kilometers long.
(2) Heritage tourism
The terrain of the dinosaur park in Alberta is very strange, and the wasteland is grotesque, forming stone pillars, peaks and overlapping colored rock formations, as well as other wonders. Since the 1980s of 19, people began to explore Malu Valley. During1910 ~1917, paleontologists from Canada and abroad flocked to collect dinosaur fossils and send them to museums all over the world. The dinosaur park was not opened to the public until 1955. The fossil area is protected by law, and visitors can only visit the designated area under careful organization. The special exhibition room shows the life scenes of prehistoric animals to the public. Now, this dinosaur park has maintained its natural state in ancient times, becoming a knowledge window to explore the world 75 million years ago and a place to understand the mysteries of prehistoric dinosaurs. Most of the parks belong to nature reserves. Visitors must take part in the professional explanation tour planned in the park before they can enter this area, explore the mysteries of prehistoric creatures and find the footprints of dinosaurs.
From 65438 to 0979, Alberta Dinosaur Provincial Park was listed as a natural heritage by UNESCO World Heritage Committee.
Four. Australian Mammal Fossil Site (Riversley/Narracott).
(A) the characteristics of the heritage
Riversley and Narakut, located in the north and south of East Australia respectively, are one of the top ten fossil producing areas in the world. They are excellent examples of the main evolutionary stages of Australia's unique fauna.
Fosley and Narakut, the mammalian fossil sites in Australia, belong to Queensland and South Australia respectively, with an area of 10300 hectares. Some important fossils found here, including marsupials and marsupials, are extinct mammalian fossils. In addition, there are bats, insects, birds, reptiles and some plant fossils. These fossil records can be traced back to Oligocene more than 20 million years ago. The discovery of these fossils reveals the changes of paleoclimate and paleoenvironment in Australia, especially the discovery of some mammals, and provides fossil evidence for studying the evolution of marsupials.
(2) Heritage tourism
Fossil sites in Riversley and Narakut, Australia, reveal the climate and environment of ancient Australia for 25 million years and the evolutionary history of Australian marsupials, thus attracting worldwide attention. 1June, 1969, Nalakut Cave and Fossil Cave were opened to the outside world. 197 1 June, 1998, a tourist route leading to the cave was built.
1994, the Australian Mammal Fossil Site (Riversleigh/Naracote) was listed as a natural heritage by the UNESCO World Heritage Committee.
Verb (abbreviation of verb) Wadiyar-Hitan (Wheeler Valley)
(A) the characteristics of the heritage
Whale Canyon is located in Faiyum Provice, about 150km southwest of Cairo, Egypt, 80km away from Faiyum City, with geographical coordinates of 2919' 59 "north latitude and 3010' 59" east longitude, with a core area of 20065439 ". This cetacean belongs to the oldest extinct archaea. These fossils reflect a major evolutionary process: whales evolved from early terrestrial animals to marine mammals. This is the most important site in the world that reflects this stage of evolution.
Whale Canyon vividly shows the shape and life of these whales in the process of evolution. The number, concentration and preservation of these fossils are second to none, and they are easy to collect, suitable for the environment and well protected. Fossils from Whale Canyon show the last stage of the hindlimb degeneration of the youngest ancient whale. Other fossil materials in the site make it possible for people to rebuild the environment and ecological conditions at that time.
The geological age of whale canyon was between Eocene and Oligocene. The oldest rock formation is the Eocene Gehannan Formation, which is about 40 million to 4 1 10,000 years ago. The skeleton fossils of whales are mainly produced in limestone. These fossil layers were first discovered in the winter of 1902, and H.J.L.Beadnell of the Egyptian Geological Survey reported the first whale skeleton found here. 1905, Charles Andrews of the British Museum of Natural History named two new species, namely the dragon king whale isis and the Dorudo natrox. Ancalecetus simonsi is recorded in 1996. Dorudonatrox was also found to have degenerated hind limbs. Later, researchers from the University of California and Yale University also came here for scientific investigation and research. Basilosaurus isis is the largest, with a body length of 2 1 m, and developed five-finger flippers on forelimbs, hind limbs, feet and toes. Other vertebrate fossils include manatees, sharks, turtles, crocodiles and sea snakes. There are also abundant invertebrates here, such as gastropods, bivalves, cephalopods, echinoderms and so on. Plant fossils include seaweed and so on.
(2) Heritage tourism
In the Whale Canyon Tourist Area, which is open to tourists, visitors can learn about the biological evolution and geological process of the Whale Canyon and appreciate various ancient marine fossils. As the first world natural heritage reserve in Egypt, Whale Canyon has begun to attract more and more tourists from all over the world. The Egyptian government has also increased its efforts to make the Whale Canyon a new tourist attraction in Egypt after the pyramids, the Sphinx and Luxor. Whales sleep in this vicissitudes of desert oasis. Only ancient fossils and water lines on grotesque peaks silently tell people that this was once an underwater world. 40 million years ago, it used to be a Wang Yang with herds of whales. Fossils of marine life have been found here, the most precious of which is whale fossils, namely fossils of ancient cetaceans. Fossils in this area show the hind limbs of ancient whales and record the evolution of whales from land creatures to marine creatures.
In July 2005, Wadiyar-Hitan (Whale Valley) was listed on the World Heritage List by the UNESCO World Heritage Committee, becoming the first Egyptian world natural heritage.