The fossil deposits near Bundenbach in the Hunsrück region of Germany offer unique insights into the development of life. At the time of deposition, at the beginning of the Devonian period of geological history around 400 million years ago, the development of life was at the beginning of the nectonic revolution, the conquest of the world's oceans at all depths by actively swimming organisms. At the end of this period, around 30 percent of all animal species perished in a mass extinction. With over 280 animal species, some in soft tissue preservation, Bundenbach is synonymous with the most important Fossillagerstätte of this period. The tropical fauna documents a complete marine ecosystem at the equator with washed-in evidence of the conquest of the mainland. Observing the development of life at a turning point sharpens our view of the Anthropozän, the new era in the history of the earth shaped by humans.
Bundenbach-Fossils are on exhibit in all major Natural History Museums worldwide, on a par with fossils from Solnhofen or Messel.
The signatories of this petition support the initiative of the local community and the collective municipality in the effort to appreciate the Bundenbach fossils.
This petition, during 14.12.2024 - 14.02.2025, is addressed to
- Ministry of the Interior and Sport of the State of Rhineland-Palatinate, Minister Michael Ebling
and subordinate: Directorate-General for Cultural Heritage Rhineland-Palatinate, Dr. Heike Otto
- Ministry of Economic Affairs, Transport, Agriculture and Viticulture of the State of Rhineland-Palatinate, Minister Daniela Schmitt
and subordinate: State Office for Geology and Mining, Director Andreas Tschauder
- Ministry of Education of the State of Rhineland-Palatinate, Minister Dr. Stefanie Hubig
The list of signatories will be handed over subsequently.
This petition, during 14.12.2024 - 14.02.2025, is addressed to
1) Ministerpresident Alexander Schweitzer, Staatskanzlei Rheinland-Pfalz
2) Ministry of the Interior and Sport of the State of Rhineland-Palatinate, Minister Michael Ebling
and subordinate: Generaldirektion Kulturelles Erbe Rheinland-Pfalz, Frau Dr. Heike Otto
and subordinate: Landesamt für Geologie und Bergbau, Herrn Direktor Andreas Tschauder
4) Ministry of Education of the State of Rhineland-Palatinate, Minister Dr. Stefanie Hubig
The petition, including the list of signatories, is to be handed out personally to MP Schweitzer. The Herrstein-Rhaunen National Park Association requested an appointment for this in a letter dated February 20, 2025. A response is currently pending (April 7, 2025).
By signing the petition you do not enter into any legal obligation. In addition to your name and place of residence, you decide on further information (e.g. function) that will be published in the list of signatories and sent to the above-mentioned addressees. Your email address will be treated confidentially. We look forward to your suggestions and criticism, also for forwarding to the addressees, and will inform you about the further progress of the activities here.
Christoph Leins, Tübingen, 14.12.2024
Wouter Südkamp, Hausen, 14.12.2024
We, the initiators of the petition for a new fossil museum in Bundenbach, Christoph Leins and Wouter Südkamp, give our personal view of how the goals mentioned in the petition can be implemented in practice. These comments are not the subject of the petition.
On May 16, 2025, the petition and its attachments were sent by email (see below). All signatories were notified (blind copy).
Dear Prime Minister Schweitzer,
the village of Bundenbach in the Hunsrück region is a classic paleontological site of world-class standing. On behalf of 665 citizens (bcc), including 70 paleontology professors, we hereby present you with the petition for a new Bundenbach Fossil Museum.
We regret that the Herrstein-Rhaunen municipality's request of February 20, 2025, for a personal handover appointment was recently rejected.
We find it incomprehensible that you have not delegated our request to one of the three ministries listed in the petition (cc), but rather to the Ministry for Family, Women, Culture and Integration, which is outside our area of expertise. Uncertainties regarding the ministries' responsibilities are not only the reason why the world's most important archaeological site from the Devonian period was recently filled with rubble and none of the surrounding outcrops have been protected so far, but also the reason why we sought a personal conversation with you – unfortunately in vain.
Fossil heritage occupies a prominent position in the politics of Rhineland-Palatinate; no other federal state has a stricter monument protection law, and through the Directorate-General for Cultural Heritage, the state is committed in a very special way to "scientifically researching cultural monuments" (which also includes fossils!) and making the results accessible to the public, particularly for educational purposes." It would be desirable for this commitment to be reflected in the practical actions of the state government.
Referring to the fact that the Bundenbach Fossil Museum is a non-governmental museum, Prof. Dr. Jürgen Hardeck, whose contributions to music are undisputed, stated in his reply that "responsibility for further development and long-term maintenance lies with the local authorities." He refers to municipalities in structurally weak areas with blatant deficits. He continued: "I would advise the district, the collective municipality, and the local community to embark on this path together if this is politically desired locally in the relevant committees." Unfortunately, it sounds like a mockery when the state government attempts to evade its political responsibility. The reference to the "RLP Municipal Future Program... to strengthen municipal infrastructure" ignores the core problem of the insecure financing of maintenance costs.
Without your personal intervention, Mr. Minister-President, the unique opportunity to bring scientific findings to life at this "cradle of paleontology" and to give Bundenbach ("primal crabs") the same attention as Solnhofen ("primal birds") and Messel ("primal horses") will be missed.
Dear Minister Schmitt, Dear Minister Ebling, Dear Minister Teuber,
also addressed to you: Please familiarize yourself with the Bundenbach World Heritage Site and listen to the expertise of the Directorate General of Rhineland-Palatinate and leading paleontologists from around the world.
Kind regards on behalf of all the undersigned
Wouter Südkamp and Christoph Leins
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The request of the Herrstein-Rhaunen municipality dated February 20, 2025, for a personal appointment to hand over the petition for a new fossil museum, addressed to Prime Minister Schweitzer, was unfortunately previously rejected by the Ministry for Family, Women, Culture and Integration, represented by Prof. Dr. Jürgen Hardeck, in a letter dated April 30, 2025 (received by the initiators on May 16, 2025, key statements highlighted in yellow below).
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