8-Million-Year-Old Rhino Skull Found in Crete
Researchers identified the fossil as a two-horned Dihoplus pikermiensis, adding evidence that Late Miocene Crete supported diverse terrestrial wildlife.
- Researchers from the University of Patras excavated a fossilized skull of a Dihoplus pikermiensis rhinoceros in the Sitia UNESCO Global Geopark in Crete, dating to roughly 8.5 million years ago. The specimen preserves about half the original skull, including three intact molars.
- Last March, a team led by Professor of Paleontology and Stratigraphy George Iliopoulos discovered the fossil during a survey in the Magantze and Trapeza areas, collaborating with the Municipality of Sitia. The project investigates the region's paleontological wealth.
- Although erosion destroyed part of the skull before discovery, the remains match the age of Sitia's famous giant Deinotherium, suggesting Late Miocene Crete supported substantial terrestrial fauna comparable to Western Eurasia. This reinforces the region's rich prehistoric ecosystem.
- Scientists provisionally identified the species as Dihoplus pikermiensis, linking the region to the Late Miocene and the Pikermian fauna of Eurasia. This discovery reinforces the 300-million-year geological timeline of the Sitia Geopark.
- These findings confirm that rhinoceroses wandered around Sitia millions of years before the construction of any Minoan palaces. The specimen is undergoing preparation and conservation at the University laboratory.
21 Articles
21 Articles
The scientific research belongs to the professor of Paleontology and Stratigraphy, George Iliopoulos, and the team of the Paleontology and Stratigraphy laboratory of the Department of Geology of the University of Patras.
An extremely important paleontological find, the skull of a rhinoceros that lived approximately 8 to 8.5 million years ago, has come to light in Crete. The prehistoric skull was discovered in the UNESCO Global Geopark of Sitia, by a team from the Laboratory of Paleontology and Stratigraphy of the Department of Geology of the University of Patras, led by Professor of Paleontology and Stratigraphy George Iliopoulos. The valuable find According t…
The find belongs to Dihoplus pikermiensis, a large species of rhinoceros with two horns, whose name refers to Pikermi in Attica The post 8.5 million-year-old rhinoceros skull discovered in Sitia Geopark appeared first on in.gr.
The new important paleontological discovery of a fossilized rhinoceros skull of the species Dihoplus pikermiensis brings to light unknown aspects
Coverage Details
Bias Distribution
- 40% of the sources are Center, 40% of the sources lean Right
Factuality
To view factuality data please Upgrade to Premium
