Close to the main entrance road towards the Park―so road №4253, researchers found Crinoid-remains; or more widely known as sea lilies due to their plant -like appearance. These so-called marine echinoderms lived on this planet since about ½ billion years, and covered much of the ocean floors during the Paleozoic. Intact findings are rare as their skeletons are bound by a soft tissue that start to disintegrate quickly after death. It is truly remarkable that this stone was found. And crinoids have also survived The Great Dying, 251 million years ago, when 96% of marine life was extinguished ―showing remarkable resilience. At the Papuk Nature Park, Middle Triassic crinoid fossils like the 'Pentacrinus' were found, dated to 240 million years.
Part of: Geosites in Papuk