Lower floor tour

The evolution of life has been fundamentally influenced by the geological development of our planet. The shifting of continental plates, volcanic activity, the strength of the Earth's magnetic field, and fluctuations in the Earth's orbit are all partly responsible for the origin and demise of entire families of animals and plants. Some of these geological processes are explained in the basement.

The past 2 million years in particular have had a decisive influence on Hamburg's surroundings, especially due to the constant advance and retreat of the glaciers during the past ice ages. We show fossils from the most recent ice age and examples of glacial till: ancient sediments that were transported to northern Germany by the glaciers.

In addition to exciting finds from famous northern German fossil sites (e.g. Helgoland and Lägerdorf), you will find fantastic pieces from the German sites of Messel, Solnhofen and Enspel in the basement, e.g. one of the famous Messel primeval horses or Jurassic pterosaurs, crabs and arachnids.

Our museum is famous for its ammonite collection. Some of the most beautiful of these extinct shell-bearing octopuses can be admired on the lower floor.

From the famous amber collection of the museum you will also find some of the most beautiful pieces, along with explanations of amber formation.