Found: Proof Spain was home to giant hippos
Sarah Elizabeth Cookson - [email protected]
Published: 10 Apr, 2014 CET.
Updated: Thu 10 Apr 2014 13:04 CET
Ancient elephant and hippopotamus remains have been discovered on the banks of the Guadalquivir River near the Spanish city of Seville.
Bones and teeth from the Middle Pleistocene period, around 780,000 to 120,000 BC, were unearthed by investigators from the University of Seville. Members from the Applied Physical Geography and Heritage team of the University made the exciting discovery in the town of La Rinconada. Among the remains were two teeth of a prehistoric hippopotamus, the biggest found to date. From these teeth, investigators could conclude that this animal was much larger than the hippopotamus found today. According to Spain's science news agency SINC, a hip bone, femur, and various elephant vertebrae were also uncovered in the dig. In addition to elephant and hippopotamus bones, the team discovered remains of an ancient bull species that is now extinct. This scientific group, led by Professor Rafael Baena, has carried out an extensive exploration of the archaeological and paleontological remains around La Rinconada. In their exploration, these investigators have also found paleontological evidence of human presence in the Guadalquivir River area dating back to the Middle Pleistocene period. Carved stonework leads them to believe that humans lived near the river during this time period.
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Bones and teeth from the Middle Pleistocene period, around 780,000 to 120,000 BC, were unearthed by investigators from the University of Seville.
Members from the Applied Physical Geography and Heritage team of the University made the exciting discovery in the town of La Rinconada.
Among the remains were two teeth of a prehistoric hippopotamus, the biggest found to date. From these teeth, investigators could conclude that this animal was much larger than the hippopotamus found today.
According to Spain's science news agency SINC, a hip bone, femur, and various elephant vertebrae were also uncovered in the dig.
In addition to elephant and hippopotamus bones, the team discovered remains of an ancient bull species that is now extinct.
This scientific group, led by Professor Rafael Baena, has carried out an extensive exploration of the archaeological and paleontological remains around La Rinconada.
In their exploration, these investigators have also found paleontological evidence of human presence in the Guadalquivir River area dating back to the Middle Pleistocene period.
Carved stonework leads them to believe that humans lived near the river during this time period.
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