An unusual discovery was made by a biologist from Jerusalem in one of the kibbutzim in southern Israel. In place of the sandy
The researchers note that this is not the first timewhen the remains of an ancient elephant are found in this place. But the new artifact is distinguished by its gigantic dimensions: 2.6 m in length and about 20 cm in diameter. In addition, it is almost completely preserved.
Tusk excavations. Photo: Yoli Schwartz, Israel Antiquities Authority
The tusk has not yet been completely removed, soarchaeologists do not know what species the elephant belonged to. But scientists believe that it may be a straight-tusked forest elephant (Palaeoloxodon antiquus). This species once inhabited the territory of Europe and Western Asia and served as food for the first hominids (human ancestors). The growth of these forest animals exceeded 4 m, and the weight reached 15 tons.
Researchers believe that these elephants are between 800 and400 thousand years ago they lived in the Levant - a territory on the eastern coast of the Mediterranean Sea. In the past, various species of elephants inhabited the entire territory of Africa, Eurasia and North America, but only a few species have survived to this day. One of the factors contributing to the population decline was hunting.
Researchers suggest that the elephant, which had a giant tusk, could also become the prey of Homo Erectus, whose tribes inhabited the territory of the Levant at that time.
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On the cover: a reconstructed appearance of a straight-tusked forest elephant. Image: Apotea, CC BY-SA 3.0 via Wikimedia Commons