Commentry, France
| Location | Commentry, Allier department, central France |
| Age | Late Carboniferous (~305 Ma, Stephanian) |
| Preservation | Compression fossils in coal shale |
| Key Finds | Meganeura monyi (type specimen) |
The coal mines at Commentry in central France are historically among the most important sites for Carboniferous insect paleontology. It was here that Meganeura monyi, the famous giant griffinfly, was first discovered and described in the late 19th century.
Geological Setting
The Commentry deposits formed in a late Carboniferous (Stephanian) lake and swamp environment. Insects and plants that fell into or were washed into the lake were buried in fine-grained sediments and compressed into the shales associated with coal seams. The mining operations of the 19th and early 20th centuries exposed these fossil-bearing layers and led to significant collections.
Key Discoveries
The most famous discovery is the Meganeura monyi holotype, described by Charles Brongniart in 1885. This wing fossil, showing a wingspan of approximately 70 cm, established the existence of giant Carboniferous insects and was one of the first pieces of evidence for the dramatic differences between ancient and modern insect faunas. Other Carboniferous insects, plants, and freshwater organisms have also been recovered from Commentry.
Historical Significance
Commentry holds a special place in the history of insect paleontology as the site that introduced the concept of Carboniferous insect gigantism to the scientific world. The Meganeura fossils from Commentry are among the most reproduced images in popular accounts of prehistoric life.