In the stairway numerous skeletons of Icthyosaurs and marine crocodiles from the Posidonia Shale formation (approximately 184 million years old) of Holzmaden welcome the visitor of the palaeontology collection.
Particularly favorable conditions on the sea-bottom have allowed the fossils to remain nearly intact while excavated and studied, even soft parts or embryos have been conserved in some cases.
In the entryway of the museum some exciting trace fossils of Palaeozoic and Mesozoic age from Spain, Italy and Germany can be seen.
Skeleton of the marine crocodile Steneosaurus bollensis from the Posidonian Shale Formation of Holzmaden (Photo: W. Gerber).
Plate with cephalopods on the wall with numerous shells of Arietites and some Nautiloids from the Lower Jurassic of the surroundings of Tuebingen (Photo: W. Gerber).
In the stairwell of the second floor is the palaeobotany collection, which represents the evolution of plants since early Palaeozoic up to the recent past.
Danaeopsis marantacea from the Keuper (Lettenkohle) of Bibersfeld (Schwäbisch Hall), Collection F.A. Quenstedt.
