Researchers find ancient fossils in Krabi cave

During a recent construction of the To Chong bunker in Tambon Ao Nang, a team of researchers and scientists discovered a number of pet remains from the Soon Pleistocene epoch.

A group of scientists and researchers led by Chulalongkorn University’s Assoc Prof. Kantapon Suraprasit and local professional Niwat Wattanayamanaporn led the dig.

The group uncovered the remains of spotted hyenas, animals, antelopes, wild animals, cattle and animals inside the cave, said Assoc Prof Kantapon on Monday.

He estimated the specimens date back from between 200, 000-80, 000 centuries before, from the Late Pleistocene era. He claimed that the southern instance of this varieties in Southeast Asia is the result of the discovery of observed hyena fossils.

According to stable isotope analysis of carbon and oxygen in specimens from a local cave, researchers have discovered that there was once a jungle with areas of dense bush in what is now Krabi around 200, 000 decades ago.

Hyenas are now only found in Africa’s plains, he said.