From Industrial Resource to Scientific Heritage: A Holistic Approach for the Czarnogłowy (Zarnglaff) Quarry and Its Role in the Geological and Paleontological Landscape of Northern Poland
Purpose: This article presents the geology, research history, and current state of the Czarnogłowy quarry—one of the most significant Mesozoic sites in Western Pomerania, Poland. Design/Methodology/Approach: As a rare in situ exposure of pre-Quaternary rocks in the region, the quarry represents a valuable geological resource. Over a 60-year period, the site was extensively exploited for limestone, culminating in the establishment of Pommersche Kalksteinwerke Zarnglaff, once one of the largest limestone production plants in Pomerania. Following its post-war industrial decline, the quarry transitioned from an economic resource to a scientific and educational one. Generations of German and later Polish geologists and paleontologists have studied the site, documenting a wealth of fossil material, including ammonites, echinoids, brachiopods, and vertebrate remains—particularly marine reptiles such as Machimosaurus and Steneosaurus. Findings: Today, the flooded quarry forms a lake, repurposed as a local recreational area, illustrating the transformation of natural resource sites over time. Practical Implications: The article highlights the need to preserve and protect historically significant geological sites like the Czarnogłowy quarry, which remain valuable for educational purposes and limited paleontological research, despite being no longer actively mined. Originality/Value: This paper provides a uniquely comprehensive synthesis of geological, paleontological, and historical data on the Czarnogłowy site, integrating archival sources, fossil collections, and field observations that are rarely combined in existing literature.