Brief synthesisMessel Pit provides the single best fossil site which contributes to the understanding of evolution and past environments during the Palaeogene, a period which saw the emergence of the first modern mammals. Criterion (viii): Messel Pit Fossil Site is considered to be the single best site which contributes to the understanding of the Eocene, when mammals became firmly established in all principal land ecosystems. IntegrityAs the Messel Pit is the former site of an oil shale mine, the land surface has been significantly disturbed. Protection and management requirementsThe Land of Hesse is the legal owner of the Messel Fossil Pit. The Messel Pit Fossil Site is administrated separately from the Federal State budget.