On the Saurian Discovery Trail (GeoRoute 6) between the municipality of Georgenthal and the internationally important early saurian site at Bromacker, numerous restoration measures could be realised by the end of 2022. This was made possible by a proportionate grant from funds of the Emergency Aid Programme for Local History Museums 2022 of the Association for Archaeology. The Saurian Discovery Trail is part of the UNESCO Global Geopark Thuringia Inselsberg - Drei Gleichen.

Weathering and partial vandalism in recent years had left clear traces on the models of the early saurians on the four-kilometre-long trail. The funding allowed the repairs and provided fresh outfits for 14 models as well as the complete redesign of one saurian model. It was also possible to produce trail stones to improve the guidance system.

The execution of this work was in the hands of the employees of the preparation studio Mandler from Kirchheim. A total of eight models or model groups were completely dismantled and partly elaborately renewed in the taxidermy workshop. Other models were restored on site and given new coats of paint or sealants. Further measures on the trail served to improve the stability and reduce the susceptibility to damage of individual models.

The mayor of the rural municipality, Florian Hofmann, emphasised at an on-site meeting: "Funding from federal funds is important and not common for rural regions and their museum facilities and projects. They support our efforts to preserve our cultural assets and, in this case, to bring the exceptional position of the palaeontological excavation site at Bromacker more into the public eye. This early saurian site is of great scientific value. We strive to convey science and its findings in a pictorial, well-founded but also low-threshold way on the Saurian Discovery Trail. That's why we are pleased that wonderfully illustrated educational material for the youngest has also been produced as part of this project. It combines knowledge and information with refreshingly humorous pictures in black and white, which children can design creatively and according to their imagination about prehistoric times."

The illustrations for the information and accompanying material were done by Florian Hohmann from Hamburg. The authorship and overall concept for the accompanying material was in the hands of Mathias Baier, who works for the rural community in the areas of culture and tourism. The result is a perpetual calendar and posters aimed specifically at the target groups of children and families.

The project was funded by the Federal Government Commissioner for Culture and the Media on the basis of a resolution of the German Bundestag.

Text & photos: Mathias Baier; illustration dinosaur calendar: Florian Hohmann