„Initially we cleared the site, removed the external layers of soil and practiced the usage of dumpy level that helped us to collect the data on the location of the fossils.

 

During the first week we found an accumulation of aetosaur bones! Next week was even more successful – we discovered complete and very well preserved mandibles of Metoposaurus."

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- from Volunteer Fieldnotes

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Krasiejow is one of the biggest mass graveyards of mesosoic vertebrates in Europe. Its importance was discovered in 1993, when local clay extraction workers exposed an impressive bone-bearing horizon. It has been confirmed that the present claypit was once a lake area, inhabited abundantly by aquatic, semiaquatic and land creatures.

 

Tens of thousands of fossils have been extracted so far. Conifer twigs, seeds, cone scales and leaves up to 30 cm long. Carapaces of crab-like giant cycloid crustaceans. Elytra of beetles. Bivalve shells and ganoid fish skeletons. Numerous skulls of giant amphibian Metoposaurus and Cyclotosaurus. Remnants of early archosaurian reptiles – ancestors of dinosaurs, pterosaurs and crocodilians.

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Today Krasiejow is in the centre of attention of Researchers from all over the world. 14 new taxa have been established based on found fossils. 22 articles have been published in top world scientific journals.

Each summer, in cooperation with Polish Academy of Sciences, Warsaw University and the European Center of Palaeontology, excavations are organized, revealing more and more material. Every single day is a discovery.

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The European Centre of Palaeontology and Wild Areas Network want you to become a vital part of the project. Now you have a unique opportunity to contribute to this world-class research and become our Volunteer.

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Download our detailed Infosheet and  read it carefully. Here are key questions you may have:

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-  What will I do?

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After the introduction you will work in a team of friendly and open community dedicated to the research they support. You will cooperate with nationally and internationally recognized scientists, lecturers and technicians willing to share their knowledge and skills.

You don't have to be experienced in the subject. The tasks will be tailored to your individual profile, abilities and needs. No matter your level of knowledge, you will be welcome and encouraged to perform not only the basic, but also and especially the more advanced tasks as you will gain the experience with time:

At first you will be helping to remove the external layers of soil/rock with pickaxe, then expose the bones with hammer, chisels, brushes or sift smaller fractions through sieve. You will learn how to extract found fossils and finally - you will process and prepare them in our modern and well-equipped palaeontological laboratory. This way you will complete the full sequence of tasks essential in the work of a palaeontologist.

You may get:
- the excitement of uncovering of fossil organisms that no human eye has seen before!
- a great hands-on learning experience
- suntan, sore muscles and blisters ;)

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And it's not all! During our stay it will be possible to participate in a very niche Microfossil Research Workshops and/or a field trip to local limestone quarry with Cretaceous deposits to work in different habitat and broaden your experience even further.

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-  Where will I stay?

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- In a truly unique, welcoming place, surrounded by 3 landscape parks. Krasiejow is a small village located by a river. There's a shop, an ancient monastery and the buildings of the European Palaeontology Center where we will be based.

 

We will sleep in a comfortable, wooden bungalow. There is a large common room with bunk beds, a kitchen and 2 bathrooms with showers.

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Our bungalow is situated very close to the excavation site, the Palaeontology Museum and Jura Park, where we can chill out or study during our free time. There is a prehistoric oceanarium, educational path, expositions, Cinema 5D, amusement park and bar. As the Volunteers we have free entrance to all the objects!

 

 

 

 - What's in it for me?

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Boost your CV with our Certificate of Participation!

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We offer HANDS-ON intensive exchange of specialist palaeontological practical knowledge and HANDS-ON experience in field research abroad, especially important for Earth Sciences Graduates, Students, Wildlife Volunteers and Professionals. We will provide training in fossil ID, extraction methods as well as laboratory processing techniques and preparation of specimens.

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Gain much more than a „formal” qualification!

We offer deep contact with Living Science, 24 hours a day! You can reconnect with rhythms of Nature and transform your life through Work. You will have an opportunity to make lifelong friends with inspiring, likeminded people. You will experience invaluable and refreshing international, intercultural exchange. You will gain unforgettable memories.

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- What are the costs?

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- The project contribution is £365 for 10 days and it includes transfers from Opole to the site and back, accomodation, Microfossil Workshops and/or Cretaceous Field Trip and entry to the Jura Park facilities. It also covers our high-quality field training confirmed by the Certificate of Participation.

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The price does not include the meals - that's because we will most likely eat at the Jura Park, where you will be totally free to pick and mix your dishes (or we can choose to cook our own food) - we don't want to decide how much you can spend on meals and what you will eat. In the Park you will get a decent lunch for £7.

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You can also learn about our unique money management standards, how we use your funds to support the project, analyze the cost breakdown and find out about our Social Enterprise status on Your Money page here. In the Infosheet we've also outlined our flexible Payment Policy - we are aware that due to the COVID Pandemics our Volunteers may need support and we are here to help you!

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