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Senckenberg Monographs

Senckenberg Monographs is a new international series of monographs in various disciplines of natural sciences, such as taxonomy, systematics, stratigraphy, biology, collections, ecology, entomology, palaeontology, zoology and history of natural science, either as self-standing individual works or as thematically homogeneous (monothematic) volumes consisting of individual contributions (proceedings).

Senckenberg Monographs is an international peer-reviewed series.

ISSN 2943-7539

Volumes are published at irregular intervals and you may submit a monograph for publication at any time. We expect one or two volumes of Senckenberg Monographs to be published annually.

For many years, the Senckenberg Society for Nature Research published three different series of monographs: Abhandlungen der Senckenberg Gesellschaft für Naturforschung (last issue Volume 576. 2021, ISSN 1868-0356), the Nova Supplementa Entomologica (last issue Volume 27. 2022, ISSN 0948-6038) and Peckiana (last issue Volume 14. 2021, ISSN 1618-1735). The editors of the three series and the Senckenberg Board of Directors decided to establish a new publication format under the title “Senckenberg Monographs”, in which the three formerly independent series are merged. Authors who are specialists in their field and selected peer reviewers will continue to guarantee the high standard of the content.

Scientists are encouraged to discuss potential volumes with the appropriate editor in advance.

Manuscripts must be prepared in accordance with the Guidelines for Authors and should be submitted digitally to the responsible editor-in-chief.

For all correspondence regarding Senckenberg Monographs please email senckenberg-monographs@senckenberg.de

Senckenberg Monographs Vol. 2

Thomas S. Lechner & Madelaine Böhme

The early Late Miocene hominid locality Hammerschmiede (Bavaria, Southern Germany) – excavation, stratigraphy, and taphonomic insights

 

Erscheinungstermin: 25. November 2025

 

The early Late Miocene fossil site of Hammerschmiede, known for over fifty years, has revealed unprecedented insights through recent excavations by the University of Tübingen. Since 2011, and especially after 2017 with enhanced methods, fossil finds have surged in both quality and quantity, enabling detailed spatial and taphonomic studies. The site’s sedimentary sequence, gently dipping northward, comprises seven fossil-bearing layers dated to 11.62–11.56 million years ago at the base of the Tortonian stage. Current research focuses on two distinct fluvial deposits: HAM4, a dynamic meandering river, and HAM5, a smaller, stable rivulet. Differences in fauna, microfossils and charcoal point to contrasting environments, with HAM4 reflecting a fire-prone, sparsely wooded riparian landscape and HAM5 a denser, more sheltered habitat. Both water bodies hosted clean, oxygen-rich conditions, supporting diverse aquatic life including giant salamanders and unionid mussels. Complex bone accumulations reveal episodic carcass input and varied preservation linked to flow dynamics and sediment composition. Hammerschmiede’s exceptionally high vertebrate biodiversity – 151 species, including 86 mammals – offers a rare window into Late Miocene ecosystems with high temporal resolution, bridging fossil and modern biodiversity. This monograph highlights the significance of detailed stratigraphic and taphonomic documentation for understanding past climates and ecological dynamics.

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Katharina Schmidt-Loske, Georg F. Tschan & Willi E. R. Xylander

Space, time, plants and paper: Botanical exploration from colonial origins to global heritage

This volume sheds light on the critical role of both herbarium sheets and handwritten documents, such as letters and postcards, in advancing botanical research. While herbarium specimens provide essential details about plant collections, they often miss the rich contextual depth found in the correspondence between botanists. These written records, long overlooked, contain invaluable insights into the individuals involved in botanical research and the historical framework in which they worked.
The book originates from the workshop ‘Space, Time, Plants and Paper’ organized by the Leibniz Research Alliance ‘Value of the Past.’ The authors draw attention to the wealth of archival material available and advocate for its greater inclusion in modern botanical studies.

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