Sunday, April 17, 2005

Pleistocene Fossils Found In Bangkok

From MCOT NEWS:

Palaeontologists have announced the discovery of a complete stegadon skeleton and a range of 2 million year-old fossils said to be the most complete in Thailand, which are being shown to visitors to Khok Sung District in the country's northeastern province of Nakhon Ratchasima over the Songkran period.



Palaeontologists were called into the area by local officials at the beginning of March, after residents reported finding animal bones around 5 metres below the surface of the soil. According to Dr. Yaowalak Chaimanee, a palaeontologist from the Department of Mineral Resources, the find was stunning - over 100 bones from a complete stegadon, or ancient dwarf elephant, including teeth, the backbone, leg bones, hips and ribs.

Also unearthed were over 10 types of fossils from the Pleistocene period, including the fossilised skull of an ancient hyena, turtle shells, deer antlers, and bones from ancient cattle and deer.

Describing the find as one of the most complete fossil discoveries ever in Thailand, Dr. Yaowalak said that the fossils would be put on public display over the Songkran period.
Original image from HERE
Thanks to Chad from the Digital Dream Machine Blog for the head's up on this
.