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8-Million-Year-Old Rhino Skull Found in Crete
Confirmed
In Short: Researchers at the Sitia UNESCO Global Geopark in Crete have uncovered part of an 8-8.5 million-year-old rhinoceros skull.
Researchers at the Sitia UNESCO Global Geopark in Crete have uncovered part of an 8-8.5 million-year-old rhinoceros skull, adding to the region's rich prehistoric record. The fossil includes three molars from the left upper jaw of a large, two-horned rhinoceros.
Kostas Raptis, a researcher involved in the project, highlighted the significance of the find, noting that it suggests the Late Miocene period supported a substantial terrestrial fauna comparable to that found elsewhere in western Eurasia.
The partial skull, which has weathered over millions of years, provides valuable insights into the ancient ecosystem of Crete. The discovery is particularly noteworthy as it places the rhinoceros in the same geological period as other iconic local finds, such as the giant deinotherium of Agia Fotia.
The team of paleontologists and researchers successfully located, excavated, and conserved the fossilized skull, which is now being studied for further details about the ancient fauna of Crete.
The latest discovery suggests that further work could reveal additional fossils and provide an even clearer picture of what Sitia and Crete looked like millions of years ago.
The find adds to the growing body of evidence that Crete was once home to a diverse range of prehistoric animals, challenging previous assumptions about the island's ancient ecosystems.
What this adds
The discovery of the rhinoceros skull in Crete contrasts with the recent find of a 9-million-year-old capybara tooth in Chile's Atacama Desert, highlighting the diverse prehistoric fauna across different regions.
Background
Scientists have discovered a fossilized tooth from a capybara, the world's largest rodent, in northern Chile's Atacama Desert, dating back almost 9 million years.
What's confirmed
- Researchers at the Sitia UNESCO Global Geopark in Crete have uncovered part of an 8-8.5 million-year-old rhinoceros skull, adding to the region's rich prehistoric record. The fossil includes three molars from the left upper jaw of a large, two-horned rhinoceros.
- Kostas Raptis, a researcher involved in the project, highlighted the significance of the find, noting that it suggests the Late Miocene period supported a substantial terrestrial fauna comparable to that found elsewhere in western Eurasia.
- The partial skull, which has weathered over millions of years, provides valuable insights into the ancient ecosystem of Crete. The discovery is particularly noteworthy as it places the rhinoceros in the same geological period as other iconic local finds, such as the giant deinotherium of Agia Fotia.
- The team of paleontologists and researchers successfully located, excavated, and conserved the fossilized skull, which is now being studied for further details about the ancient fauna of Crete.
- The latest discovery suggests that further work could reveal additional fossils and provide an even clearer picture of what Sitia and Crete looked like millions of years ago.
- The find adds to the growing body of evidence that Crete was once home to a diverse range of prehistoric animals, challenging previous assumptions about the island's ancient ecosystems.
What's still developing
- Although the rest of the skull had weathered away over the eons due to natural processes and erosion, the surviving portion is exceptionally valuable.