[ad_1]
A whale skeleton believed to be up to 5,000 years old has been discovered and has been almost perfectly preserved by researchers in Thailand.
The skeleton, believed to be a pride 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, shoulder blades and fins. The skeleton is 12 meters (39 feet) long and its skull is three meters long.
The bones will be carbon-dated to verify their age, but are believed to be between 3,000 and 5,000 years old.
Pride whales They 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 educational fish such as anchovies – face threats from fishing gear and tourism.
The discovery will help deepen researchers’ understanding of species evolution, as well as other forms of marine life. In addition to the skeleton, the researchers found preserved objects including shark teeth and their shells.
Farout Silpa Archa, Minister of Natural Resources and the Environment, said the remains, which were found about 12 kilometers (7.5 miles) from the earth, would also provide important clues to help scientists keep track of how the sea levels have changed over thousands of years.
Marcus Chua, of the National University of Singapore, told the BBC that the partially fossilized bone was a “rare find” and that the discovery “provides a window into the past”. The skeleton was supposed to provide information on the “ancient biological and geological conditions of the time, including estimates of sea level, sediment types and contemporary biological communities.”
There were only a few sub-fossils of whales 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.
Source link
