Shark nursery in the Museum of Natural History Chemnitz
Filigree "wonders" now on display in the hands-on exhibition "Erlebnisraum Museum"
Regional wood artist Robby Schubert has created a life-size model of the single-spine shark Xenacanthus and the associated reed with three shark eggs for the "Erlebnisraum Museum" exhibition at the Museum für Naturkunde Chemnitz. The approximately one metre long hand-crafted reconstruction of the marine animal and the soft-ice-like eggs can now be admired in the hands-on exhibition "Erlebnisraum Museum".
In addition, corresponding tactile wooden models have been created, which are used in the "Feelings of Nature" event for people with severe physical disabilities. The wooden models expand the understanding of the way of life of these marine animals and, thanks to the tactile level, offer a special museum experience not only for people with disabilities.
The wooden models refer to Chemnitz fossil finds from the Carboniferous period 330 million years ago. The fossil shark spine and several fossil egg capsules were found during the construction of the Chemnitz-Glösa motorway junction. The single-spined sharks laid egg capsules in the reeds in protected areas along the banks of the river arms, which were preserved as fossils.
Robby Schubert found the work on the shark body itself very exciting, and the shark eggs were a particular challenge: "The fact is that I was impressed by the eggs. I think this filigree miracle of form in sharks is in stark contrast to the classic chicken egg."
In order to better understand this filigree wonder, the Museum für Naturkunde Chemnitz arranged contact between the wood artist and the scientists Prof Dr Jörg Schneider from the TU Bergakademie Freiberg and Dr Jan Fischer from the GEOSKOP prehistoric museum. At the time of the wood sculpting work, there was no scientific publication on the 3D anatomy of the shark's body and eggs.
This project is co-financed by tax funds on the basis of the budget approved by the members of the Saxon state parliament.
Note
Admission to the museum is free on the first Friday of every month. The next "free" Friday is 4 February.