Understanding Fossils: Formation and Definition
Turkey is a treasure trove of fossils, with numerous discoveries being made by Turkish scientists over the years. In July 2006, a team of experts from the Mineral Research and Exploration (MTA), Paris National Museum of Natural History and Ankara University Faculty of Science Department of Geology made a significant find in Kırıkkale. They uncovered 25 million-year-old rhinoceros fossils, including those of a mother, father, and a six-month-old cub.
In another discovery, a fossil believed to be from the paleontological age was unearthed in a sand quarry in Tekirdağ’s Hayrabolu district. Weighing 11 kilograms and measuring 30-35 centimeters in length, the bone is thought to be a part of the foot or hoof bone of a large animal, possibly a mammoth or dinosaur.
In Kastamonu, a 70-million-year-old mosasaur fossil, measuring 17.5 meters in size, was also found, adding to the growing collection of fossils in Turkey.
The oldest fossils found in Anatolia date back to the Middle Miocene, approximately 14 million years ago. The hominoid, a primate closely related to humans, was first discovered in Western Anatolia. Another significant find was the discovery of the species Grifopithecus alpani in Çandır in Central Anatolia.
Dr. Fikret Ozansoy made a groundbreaking discovery in Sinaptepe near Ankara Kızılcahamam when he unearthed the first fossils related to hominoid evolution. Named Ankarapithecus meteai in 1958, the fossil has since been referred to as the ‘Ankarapithecus monkey’.
These discoveries shed light on the rich history of Turkey and its importance in the field of paleontology, and they continue to fuel the interest and excitement of scientists and researchers around the world.
