I hope you enjoyed our geological theater!
We encourage you now to pause and reflect. Remember the comparison we made earlier in the time portal? If the entire history of the Earth were one year long, then the last 150 years would equal one second.
In this “geological second,” humans have managed to subjugate nature. The global effects of this are so massive that geologists consider it fitting to give this comparatively short period of time its own name as a separate, geological epoch. They call it the “Anthropocene,” a name meaning the era of geological history made by humans.
There is no question that humans have become a geological force today – and that they’re well on the way to destroying the very foundations of life. The poem heard earlier is echoed here: “Whoever hears people talk / knows / only stones will remain”.
The three monitors in front of you illustrate how we treat our “Mother Earth.” You’ll learn about the treasures that have been extracted from the Earth here in the Bavarian Forest over the centuries.
Despite this exploitation, so-called “oases in stone” have also been created in quarries: special habitats that are home to a surprising number of animal and plant species.
This finally brings us to our core topic, granite. All you have to do is turn around.
