The Story of Goat’s Hoof and Lake Balaton
Lake Balaton’s goat’s hoof is the folk name for the worn fossils of the Congeria ungula caprae clam that lived in the gradually sweetening Pannon Sea about 5 million years ago. During the Miocene and Pliocene periods (25-5 million years ago), strong crustal movements occurred in the area of present-day Carpathian Basin. The Pannon Sea originated during the fragmentation of the Tethys Ocean basin, formed parallel to the uplift of the surrounding mountains. Gradually, the influx of river water sweetened the brackish water, giving rise to the Congeria ungula caprae living in brackish water.
In the Pleistocene era, Lake Balaton had a much higher water level than it does today. The waves undercut the shore, washing out the shells of Congeria clams. Due to the abrasive effect of the waves, these fossils took on the distinctive “goat’s hoof” shape. Fossils from these Pleistocene-era abrasions are still unearthed today.
The primary occurrence of “goat’s hooves” is on the Tihany Peninsula, where they are found in large numbers in Gödrös and along the White Shore. They are also found in various places on the southern shore of Lake Balaton, such as Szántód and Fonyód.
These fossils have inspired many myths and legends. According to one legend, the goat’s hoof is the remains of the golden-haired goat kid that perished in Lake Balaton as a punishment for its arrogance. This story has been retold in works such as Garay János’s “Balatoni kagylókból” (From Lake Balaton Shells) and Babits Mihály’s “A második ének” (The Second Song).
Alongside goat’s hooves, other shell and snail remains have also been preserved in the Pannonian layers. One example is the clam called Cardium apertum, which was sold by Tihany children between the two World Wars as a noble headband or bridal headband.
The Tihany Tourism Association annually organizes the Goat’s Hoof Festival, and in 2016, the Congeria clam was nominated for the 2017 Fossil of the Year award, which, however, was awarded to the cave bear. In the 2021 vote, Congeria ungula caprae was nominated for the 2022 Fossil of the Year, but once again lost after the giant deer emerged as the winner.
The story of the Balaton goat’s hoof and its cultural significance is part of the rich scientific and literary heritage of the region.