A silicified wood from the church of St. Laurentius in Zeholfing (Bavaria, Germany) – an unusual link between archeology and paleontology

A silicified wood specimen of Cedreloxylon cristalliferum SELMEIER, 1987, is described from an archeological site in southern Germany. The wood was found in a late 11th century church foundation. The circumstances of this discovery illustrate that the church builders did not recognize the nature of this piece of rock. The geologic age of the wood is probably Miocene. Based on the well-preserved cellular structure a specific determination is possible. Comparison with extant relatives of C. cristalliferum provides insights into the climatic conditions that existed during the life of this plant.