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A whale skeleton thought to be up to 5,000 years old has been discovered, almost perfectly preserved, by researchers in Thailand.
The skeleton, believed to be a Bryde whale, was found in Samut Sakhon, west of Bangkok. Researchers have excavated 80% of the remains and have so far identified 19 complete vertebrae, five ribs, one shoulder blade and fins. The skeleton measures 12 meters (39 feet), with a three-meter long skull.
The bones will be carbon dated to verify their age, but are thought to be between 3,000 and 5,000 years old.
Bryde’s whales are still found in the waters of Thailand, including the Gulf of Thailand, where they are considered a protected species. Whales, which prefer waters above 16 ° C (61 ° F) and feed on bench fish such as anchovies, face threats from fishing gear and tourism.
The discovery will help deepen researchers’ understanding of the evolution of the species, as well as other forms of marine life. In addition to the skeleton, the researchers found preserved objects including shark teeth and shells.
The remains, which were found about 12 km (7.5 miles) inland, will also provide important evidence to help scientists keep track of how sea levels have changed over thousands of years, Varawut said. Silpa-archa, the Minister of Natural Resources and the Environment.
Marcus Chua, of the National University of Singapore, told the BBC that the partially fossilized bones were “a rare find” and that the discovery “provides a window into the past.” The skeleton was supposed to provide information on “paleobiological and geological conditions at that time, including sea level estimates, sediment types and contemporary biological communities.”
There were few whale subfossils in Asia, Chua said, and finding one in such good condition was particularly unusual.
The exact age of the skeleton is expected to be confirmed in December.
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