Grabungsteam Chemnitz is a scientific excavation project of the Museum für Naturkunde Chemnitz, inviting visitors to explore the city’s remarkable geological and fossil heritage. Based in the Sonnenberg district, its permanent excavation site, “Fenster in die Erdgeschichte” (“Window into Earth’s History”), is gradually uncovering a 291-million-year-old fossil forest. A volcanic eruption buried a tropical oasis beneath ash, preserving plants and animals where they lived and creating an exceptional opportunity for research.

The project shares its discoveries through updates on recent finds, events, and opportunities to learn about paleontology and Earth’s history. Its educational offerings include programs for nurseries and schools, activities about the fossilized forest, and themed learning resources on fossils, life, and volcanoes. Visitors can also take a virtual visit, try quizzes and creative activities, or join special family events, including holiday programs and escape-game adventures. The excavation site is open during selected public events and to groups by prior arrangement. The project receives European Union and Free State of Saxony support through the European Social Fund.