PORTUGAL. Severe winter storms led to an unexpected technological discovery: connected the seashore Galli-Fontinhas were discovered whale fossils astir 10 cardinal years old.
As a effect of soil erosion, geological layers of the play were exposed Miocenecovering the clip play from 23 to 5 cardinal years ago. It was successful these layers that two well-preserved skeletons of past marine mammals were found.
Scientists were particularly drawn to the information of the finds: some skeletons retained important anatomical elements, including skulls, jaws and ample bones.
The study is coordinated by a paleontologist Carla Thomas from Museu da Lourinhawhose team carried retired work successful hard conditions. Tides and oversea erosion perpetually threatened the information of the finds and made excavations difficult.
According to preliminary estimates, the discovered samples whitethorn beryllium to extinct radical of baleen whaleshowever, last recognition will necessitate further research.
It is noted that this country is already known to paleontologists: fossils person antecedently been recovered present dolphins, turtles, sharks and different marine species. This indicates that successful past times the territory was rich marine ecosystem.
In addition, traces of past beingness were recovered successful the rocks – including fossil burrows and benthic organismswhich gives scientists a uncommon accidental to reconstruct the conditions of beingness of the marine situation of that time.
Despite the value of the find, experts enactment that prolonged vulnerability to weather conditions could person affected the information of idiosyncratic elements, which complicates further analysis.
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