Source: CCTV.com

03-19-2008 10:05

Among the victims of a long ago era of climate change was the Stegodon Orientalis. It was a saber-toothed elephant that roamed Asia and Africa during the mid-Pleistocene Period. A complete skeleton of this long extinct species has been found in southwest China's Chongqing Municipality. Soon after the discovery last year, the remains proved to be the largest skeleton of the species ever found.

The fossil skeleton now stands on public display at Wanzhou District Museum. Wanzhou is the region where the skeleton was discovered.(Photo: CCTV.com)

The fossil skeleton now stands on public display at Wanzhou District Museum. Wanzhou is the region where the skeleton was discovered.

Measuring up to three meters high and six meters in length, the skeleton is considered the world's best preserved saber-toothed elephant artefact. Its skull, saber teeth, ribs and shanks are in excellent condition. Fossils of the species are often excavated - usually in Asia and Africa. Bits and pieces of the animal's skull and teeth have been found in other areas.

The sabre-toothed elephant disappeared from the face of the Earth more than 10,000 years ago.(Photo: CCTV.com)

The sabre-toothed elephant disappeared from the face of the Earth more than 10,000 years ago - one of the species that did not survive the drastic climate change that warmed the planet and marked the beginning of agriculture among humans.

American archaeologist Walter Granger was among the first discoverers of elephant fossils in Wanzhou district back in 1921. Since then, excavations in the region have continued to amaze. Archaeologists have recovered more than ten sets of saber-toothed elephant fossils amid discoveries of other fossils from 26 species of panda, Chinese Rhino and sambar.

 

Editor:Liu Fang