Detecting fossil elephant teeth in Thai Nguyen

During a survey of archaeological investigations in early March in the northern province of Thai Nguyen, archaeologists found a fossil elephant tooth, believed to be an Asian elephant tooth.

"Based on the level of fossils, the date of the elephant teeth is from 30,000 to 50,000 years. This is the first case of fossils of this elephant tooth found in Thai Nguyen", Dr. Trinh Nang Chung, the leader of the team archaeological say.

This fossilized elephant tooth was discovered in early 2011 in Than Sa river area (Vo Nhai district), the section that runs through Nguom rocky vestige, a famous archaeological relic that has been ranked as a national monument. .

The chewing surface of elephant teeth. Photos provided by Dr. Trinh Nang Chung. ( Photos provided by Dr. Trinh Nang Chung )

Dong Van Chung, 71, a local resident, said fossils were found at a depth of about 3 meters above the Than Sa river, one of the river ditches to treat gold. At first, those who treated gold said that it was just a normal stone, but due to its strange shape, it was retained.

Incline of elephant teeth.Photos provided by Dr. Trinh Nang Chung.

According to Dr. Trinh Nang Chung, that is Asian elephant fossil, scientific name Elephas maximus. This elephant lived more than 1 million years ago from the neo-colonial period to the present day. Elephants weigh between 3,000 kg and 5,000 kg, ranging from 2m to 4m high.

Archaeologists believe that the elephant lived at the same time as the original , the owner of the famous Nguom culture discovered in the Than Sa valley, Thai Nguyen.