SAEDNEWS: Paleontologists in Peru have unveiled the fossilized skeleton of an ancient creature resembling a dolphin, dating back 8 to 12 million years.
According to the Science and Technology Service of Saed News, remains were discovered in July in the Ocucaje Desert, south of Lima, a region that was once part of the Pacific Ocean. Mario Urbina, a paleontologist involved in the discovery, described the ancient fossil site as a “grand hotel,” explaining that the coastal mountain ranges had created a barrier against strong currents, resulting in a calm and ideal environment for marine life to reproduce.
According to FaraDide, this area was underwater for nearly 45 million years. Researchers from the Geological, Mining, and Metallurgy Foundation of Peru stated that the discovery provides valuable insights into the region’s past geography and how the coastline shifted over millennia.
Peru’s deserts are treasure troves of ancient marine species. Earlier this year, a 9-million-year-old fossil of a relative of the great white shark was found in the country.
Moreover, prehistoric remains have been uncovered in other parts of Peru, far from the coast. In April 2024, experts identified the fossilized skull of the largest known river dolphin, an animal that lived around 16 million years ago in what is now the Amazon region.
