INTERNEWSTIMES.COM – storm in Norfolk has revealed a treasure trove of prehistoric history, exposing the bones of an ancient elephant in a cliff face. The discovery, made by amateur palaeontologist John Clayden, has sparked excitement among fossil enthusiasts.
The bones, estimated to be between 650,000 and 800,000 years old, were spotted at West Runton, near Cromer. Clayden, recognizing the significance of the find, rallied fellow fossil hunters to help recover the remains before they were lost to another storm.
The exposed bones include part of an atlas vertebra and a toe bone, suggesting the potential for a significant discovery. Experts believe the remains could belong to a straight tusked elephant, Steppe mammoth, Southern mammoth, or a species more closely related to the Indian elephant.
The discovery has fueled hopes of finding more of the skeleton, particularly as several bones have been unearthed in the same spot since November. The fact that some of the bones were not fully fused together suggests the remains belonged to a juvenile elephant.
This exciting find offers a glimpse into the prehistoric past of Norfolk and promises further discoveries as researchers continue to investigate the site. (Red)
