Germany: Messel Pit

Geube Messel aka Messel Pit is an archeological site that has one of the highest concentration of well-preserved prehistoric animals and plants from 48 million years ago in the entire world. Back when Europe was a subtropical paradise and the land mass was actually 10 degrees further to the south , this was a volcanic lake that got turned into bituminous oil shale deposit with time. It preserved insane amounts of animals birds, and plants. In the 19th century, the pit was mined for oil and the well-preserved animal remains were discovered – the level of preservation is truly beyond insane here, including soft tissues, fur, feathers, stomach contents, and even the iridescent colors of insects. The site’s diversity spans over 1,400 identified species, from plants to vertebrates, far exceeding most other fossil sites anywhere in the planet. They found prehistoric miniature horses, early primates, anteaters, bats, tiny hummingbirds, huge 2m raptors, croc, snakes, lizards, tortoises, frogs, and above all – the bizarre looking Messel armored garfish. Plus thousands and thousands of insects.