Conference in the Müritzeum: On the trail of Ice Age history!

Conference in the Müritzeum: On the trail of Ice Age history!

On Monday, November 25th, 2025, a remarkable scientific colloquium of the Müritz National Park took place in the Müritzeum in Waren. Under the motto “Time travel into the glacial heritage”, experts from geology, archeology and nature conservation, complemented by interested guests, gathered to discuss current research results on the landscape and climate history of northeast Germany. Particular attention was paid to the work of the geologist Prof. Eugen Geinitz, whose significant contributions to geological research in Mecklenburg were honored on the occasion of the 100th anniversary of his death.

Exciting and often rare questions were addressed in various lectures. Topics such as underwater forests, the last reindeer and reindeer hunters, as well as archaeological traces of human-landscape interaction since the post-glacial period were discussed in detail. Ulf Zimmermann, head of the Müritz National Park Office, emphasized the importance of exchanging geological, ecological and archaeological findings. “The combination of these disciplines is the key to a comprehensive understanding of our past,” says Zimmermann.

A look at the Ice Age

It was no coincidence that the annual theme for 2023 was “Ice Age”. It commemorates the anniversary of the inland ice theory, which explains that the last ice age ended around 12,000 years ago. Numerous events are also planned for the coming year 2025 that will bring the Ice Age history of Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania to life. The Müritz National Park plays a central role here, after all it is one of the most important nature reserves in the region. Together with the Jasmund and Lower Oder Valley National Parks, it contributes to the comprehensive protection of nature, which now covers 774,000 hectares - around a quarter of the country's area.

From a historical perspective, the development of nature conservation in the region is not without its problems. After the fall of the Wall, the last People's Chamber of the GDR placed it under protection, which subsequently established a number of national parks, biosphere reserves and nature reserves. But this did not happen immediately and was the result of lengthy social developments. Environmental activists in the GDR often had to assert themselves against resistance and struggle with persecution.

The geological diversity of Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania

The geology of the region is diverse and exciting. The first publications on the geological conditions between the mouths of the Trave and the Oder appeared 50 years ago, but a comprehensive presentation was a long time coming. Today there is a new standard work with 580 pages that contains important information about applied geology, deposits and the important pre-Quaternary rocks. The wealth of geological layers is also reflected in impressive maps that document the regional distribution of layers.

The oldest deposits date back to the Proterozoic and were found in drillings near Schwerin. The latest findings show that coastal formation over the last 6,000 years was strongly influenced by post-glacial sea level rise. The different sea level gradients between the Baltic Sea and the North Sea clearly show how dynamic and complex the landscape and environmental history of this region is.

In summary, it can be said that the colloquium in the Müritzeum not only offered a valuable platform for the exchange of specialist knowledge, but also raised awareness of the extraordinary geological and climatic history of northeast Germany. Strelitzius and MV State Museum supplement the overall picture with valuable information about environmental protection developments and the geological features in Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania, while Swiss beard provides insights into the future of geological research.