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Rare Ancient Elephant Skeleton Coming Together In Indonesia

Posted on: Tuesday, 23 June 2009, 13:30 CDT

Scientists are preparing to piece together a rare complete skeleton of a prehistoric elephant found in the tropics of Indonesia.

It is rare that a fossil of an animal is ever found in such a hot, humid climate, but researchers have discovered the complete remains of a prehistoric elephant they believe was submerged in quicksand in Java some 200,000 years ago.

"It is very uncommon to discover a fossil like this in a tropical region like Indonesia," Edi Sunardi, an independent expert at Indonesia's Padjadjaran University in Bandung, West Java, told the Associated Press.

"It apparently was covered by volcanic sediment that protected it from high temperatures, erosion and decay."

A team of seven paleontologists from the Geology Museum in Bandung, West Java, worked for a month to excavate the complete skeleton of the 13-feet-tall creature.

"We believe from the shape of its teeth that it was a very primitive elephant," paleontologist Fachroel Aziz told the AP.

The new find marks the first complete prehistoric elephant skeleton to be discovered since fossil records began in Indonesia in 1863, scientists said.

The bones were placed in plaster so they could be transported to the lab where they will be carefully removed and put into place. However, scientists told the AP that the process of putting the skeleton back together could face obstacles due to a lack of funding, proper tools and overall expertise.

Aziz said paleontologists have discovered about 2,000 ancient elephant skeleton remains in Indonesia over the past 150 years, but none of them have been in a condition comparable to the recent find.

"We want to exhibit it publicly because this is a spectacular discovery," he said.

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On the Net:

• Padjadjaran University

Source: redOrbit Staff & Wire Reports

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