Animal Skeleton Believed To Be About A Million Year Old Discovered In Eritrea

Kudofelasi, 11 July 2010 – The jaws, molars and broken bones of an extinct herbivore believed to age from 600,000 up to 1-million years have been discovered in the Mai-Gebro River in Kudofelasi administrative area of the Southern region.

The head of the National Museum of Eritrea, Dr. Yosief Libsekal, said that the discovery indicates that there could exist similarly important fossils in the area. He called on the local inhabitants especially farmers to inform any new discovery to the concerned body.


Pointing out that examination is underway to exactly identify the age of the fossil, Dr. Yosief said that efforts are being made to open regional museum in collaboration with the Administration of the Southern region in view of the fact that the region is rich in relics and undiscovered biodiversity.

Mr. Amanuel Solomon, who discovered the skeleton and brought it to the museum, noted that that preserving such findings and heritage is the responsibility of every citizen and expressed his happiness to have been of service.

It is to be noted that similar discovery of tombs, household utilities and jewelry believed to date over 2100 years was discovered through excavation in Adi-Bare.

Members of the National Museum of Eritrea pointed out that the discovery of the Mai-Gebro fossil is equally important as that of Buya and Dandero and that further extensive studies will be made on animal skeleton.