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30 years after its UNESCO designation, an international assessment confirms the excellent condition of the World Heritage Site.
The Messel Pit, a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1995, has been the highest rating of "good" World Heritage Outlook . This places it among the world's best-rated natural sites. The IUCN is the world's largest independent conservation organization and comprises governmental and non-governmental organizations.
The award primarily recognizes the consistent work of all participating institutions on site. Hildegard Förster-Heldmann, Member of the State Parliament and Spokesperson for Arts & Culture, emphasizes the significance of the assessment: "The award acknowledges the important and consistently excellent work being done here by the State of Hesse and all participating institutions." She particularly highlights the Hessian State Office for the Preservation of Historical Monuments: Under the leadership of Prof. Dr. Markus Harzenetter and Prof. Dr. Udo Recker, new excavation and documentation guidelines have been established since 2019, effectively linking monument preservation and research.
The IUCN report confirms that the fossil deposit's value is in good condition and is expected to continue to improve. The World Heritage Site is praised for its highly effective work in the areas of protection, research, and sustainable management.
Förster-Heldmann also emphasizes the importance of the Messel Pit for education and science. New educational programs – especially for families – make geological history tangible and demonstrate the international relevance of the site.
That the Messel Pit is today a globally recognized natural heritage site is thanks in no small part to the dedicated citizens of the region. In the 1970s, they successfully prevented the planned conversion of the pit into a landfill for the Rhine-Main region through numerous lawsuits. The visitor and information center was opened in 2010 after two and a half years of construction. Forester Heldmann expresses his gratitude: "The Messel Pit is a prime example of how essential the commitment of citizens is. I can't even imagine burying all these treasures under garbage."
(DARMSTADT – RED/PM)
