Light reflects off the shiny surfaces of the individual pieces of coal and at the same time disappears into the dark black-brown. Characteristic of the material assemblage are dirt, dust and ash, coal, black, gray and dark brown colors that contrast with the white of the room. Enclosed under pressure and the exclusion of air, the fossil material points to the formation of our earth’s surface, stands as a symbol for the passage of time and forces that have occurred without human intervention. Hardly any other substance says such fundamental things about our modern civilization. Exploitation of the earth without consideration of consequences correlates with social and societal impacts for humans.