Traces of 2.5 million-year-old 'beast' sharks appear ... in the middle of the city

In a natural sink in the heart of Mexico's state capital of Yucatan, scientists have discovered traces of megalodons, beasts that are many times larger than ordinary sharks.

Cave researchers Kay Nicte Vilchis Zapata and Erick Sosa Rodriguez made a surprise discovery by diving into a sinkhole in Cholul district, Merida, capital of Mexico's Yucatan state. These are 13 teeth and fossil vertebrae of 3 different ancient shark species.

A cave researcher is trying to get fossils out of a sinkhole wall - (Photo: Kay Nicte Vilchis Zapata and Erick Sosa Rodriguez)

The megalodon "shark beast" (red) is compared to the common large shark and humans.

A few specimens have been identified as belonging to the megalodon - the legendary "beast" shark, far larger than any shark family that ever appeared on earth. Fossils found were 2.5 million years old

"We were looking at the cave wall and suddenly saw something. I came closer and saw that it was a tooth, and it clearly belonged to a set of jaws," said Zapata researcher.

One of the teeth was found - (photo: Kay Nicte Vilchis Zapata and Erick Sosa Rodriguez).

The other two creatures that left traces in the cave were shortfin mako sharks and a sword shark. Currently these 2 species still exist and are 2 of the most feared assassins of the ocean.

The fossils found are only the result of a preliminary search. It is possible that this sinkhole also hides many other parts of the aforementioned 3 prehistoric monsters. In addition, the researchers discovered two other large teeth, possibly not shark teeth but that of another mysterious forerunner.

Inside the pit, where the fossils were found - (photo: Kay Nicte Vilchis Zapata and Erick Sosa Rodriguez).

A map of the natural sinkhole below the city - (photo: Kay Nicte Vilchis Zapata and Erick Sosa Rodriguez).

This finding also suggests an interesting research direction: it is clear that in the distant past, this vibrant city was once under the ocean!

Traces of shark "beasts" adorn Yucatan's colorful history. Merida city itself possesses a rich Mayan heritage; meanwhile, at the edge of the Yucatan peninsula remains a giant impact crater caused by asteroids that eradicated dinosaurs 66 million years ago.

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