|
Natural History Meseum of Vrisa |
The Region of Vrisa - Vatera, with the most unique beach
in the entire Mediterranean, is characterised as exceptionally
rare for its Palaeolithic fossils, unique not only to
Greece, but perhaps to the whole of Europe. During recovery
excavations in the region of Vatera, various fossils
were found in lakes, lake-banks and river deposits.
In clay deposits of the flowing river, various size
fish fossils were discovered, the largest of which was
80cm. The environment was found to be freshwater and
apart from the fish fossils, various plant fossils were
discovered, including aquatic carnivorous plants and
bulrushes, types of which no longer exist today.
The banks of this lake were used as a watering hole
where animals came to drink. In certain areas their
animal prints have been preserved.
The most important of fossilised animal remains discovered,
include: The jawbone, tusks and skeleton segments of
the proboscidean and mastododon ANANCUS ARVENENSIS which
became extinct more than 1.6 million years ago.
In various locations fossilised horse bones of variable
size were discovered, one of which had hooves attached
of greater dimension than that of the common EQUUS STENOSIS.
The bones and jaw of the carnivorous NYCTEREUTES MEGAMASTOIDES
were also found, a possible relative of today's nyctereytis,
as well as the bones of camels, rhinoceroses, various
sized deer, antelopes, gazelles and other bovine creatures
and tortoises.
The fossilised bones discovered belonging to the giant
tortoise are amongst the most impressive finds, since
it is believed to have been about 2.5 metres in length,
a size that can be compared to that of a modern car.
The most amazing of all discoveries however, was the
find of extremely rare animal species, including a family
of giant apes of the species of PARADOLICHOPITHECUS,
the earliest in representative age ever found in Europe.
The abundance of fossils of gazelles, horses, deer,
tortoises and antelopes indicate an early savannah
enviromnent, while the deposits point to the existence
of river systems which crossed the region's forest
expance and flowed into the lake.
It is worth noting the existence of a rich fauna of
fossilised freshwater fish, shells and flora. The
age of the finds (using paleo-magnetic methods of
dating) is 2 million years old.
The Natural History Collection of Vrisa, apart from
its collection of fossils, has an extensive collection
of rocks, plants and embalmed animals. (Tel. 025261711)
|
