Opening up science: New ways of transferring knowledge using the example of the BROMACKER research project
The Bromacker site has been known for over 100 years and is one of the most important and productive fossil deposits for land vertebrates from the early Permian period (approx. 290 million years ago). The first-class preservation of the body and trace fossils from the Bromacker and its extraordinary biodiversity provide a valuable insight into the palaeobiology and ecology of early land vertebrates and their environment. The participating scientists are pursuing a wide range of questions with equally diverse methods in order to decipher the Bromacker fossil deposit as a whole and thus also the early evolution of land vertebrates and their ecosystems. At the same time, new, innovative communication formats are to be developed and scientifically supported. The aim is to allow the public to participate in this integrative research project through innovative communication and mediation measures in parallel with the scientific findings.
Project activities and results
- Annual research excavation at Bromacker lasting several weeks (July/August)
- Interactive exhibition "Bromacker lab - Discover prehistoric times"; open since 27/02/22 and accessible free of charge; Friedenstein Castle, west wing
- Educational programmes and show preparation in the Bromacker lab(oratorium)
- Image brochure "Bromacker. Window into the past. A look into the future"
- Numerous ongoing research projects on palaeobiological and geological sub-areas (biodiversity, biomechanics, physiology, palaeoecology, climate and geology)
- Geological research borehole at Hainfelsen near Finsterbergen, with public guided tours (summer 2022)
- Guided tours to and on the excavation site
- Development and production of digital media for social media channels and interactive web presence (e.g. live tours and posts on Instagram)
- Start of teacher training programmes (2022)
- Participation in museum events (children's festival, museum night, Long Night of the Museums, etc.)
- Construction of a visitor platform at the excavation site (2023)
Information on the project
The institution
Friedenstein Foundation Gotha
Project management
- Project management for the Friedenstein Foundation Gotha: Dr. Tom Hübner
- Project management for the Friedrich-Schiller-University Jena: Prof. Dr. Christoph Heubeck, Prof. Dr. Peter Frenzel, PD Dr. Thomas Voigt
- Project management for the UNESCO Global Geopark Inselsberg-Drei Gleichen: Dipl. Geol. Sylvia Reyer-Rohde
- Project management for the Museum of Natural History - Leibniz Institute for Evolution and Biodiversity Research Berlin & Projekt gesamt: Prof. Jörg Fröbisch, PhD.
Project participants
Friedenstein Foundation Gotha
Maria Schulz
Pia Kain
Dr. Aurore Canoville
Sophie König
Dr. Tom Hübner
Projektpartner
- Museum of Natural History - Leibniz Institute for Evolution and Biodiversity Research Berlin
Friedrich-Schiller-University Jena
UNESCO Global Geopark Thüringen Inselsberg – Drei Gleichen
Duration
08/2020-07/2025
Supported by
Federal Ministry of Education and Research
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