Prehistoric rhinos, horses unearthed at Greek palaeontology site

Palaeontologists slowly peeling back the earth from a dry river bed to the east of Athens have discovered the remains of prehistoric mammals that once roamed the region some 7.2 million years ago, as documented in images released by efe-epa Sunday.

Credit: ANA-MPA

The excavations in Pikermi, some 26.5 kilometers (16.5 miles) outside the capital, is overseen by Professor Giorgios Theodorou from the University of Athens in collaboration with the local municipality.

Credit: ANA-MPA

The fossil-rich site is located on the shores of an ancient lake that existed during the Neogean Miocene period, an era when the distant ancestors of today's mammals grazed at the water's edge.

Palaeontologists have uncovered a number of bones belonging to prehistoric horses, rhinoceroses, gazelles and extinct members of the elephant family.

Source: Agencia EFE [June 10, 2018]