Fetal intact in fossil horses 48 million years

According to news on News Discovery, a new study confirms the discovery of fossils of an ancient 48 million year old horse in Germany. Specifically, they are found in a quarry at Messel, near Frankfurt.

The skeleton has been well preserved. In particular, it was found that there was an unborn fetus and some intact soft tissue.

The finding was announced at the annual meeting of the Vertebrate Paleontology Society, but recent research confirms that the soft tissues are intact including the placenta of mother horses and one. uterine ligament. This fossil clearly shows the uterine system of an ancient animal.

The researchers used electron microscopy to analyze fossil samples. With a high magnification, they found that the fetus is nearly 5 inches long and even, all the fetal bones are still intact and clear in its original position. Only the skull is ruined, crumbling some place.

48 million year old fossil horse contains many surprises.

Experts speculate that the fossil is a Eurohippus messelensis mare , who died shortly before birth. However, they did not think the horse's death was related to pregnancy.

Until now, the cause of death is still a mystery, although many of the prehistoric animals that died in this area were suffocated. The Lake Messel area, during that period, is believed to have emitted a lot of toxic carbon dioxide from time to time due to volcanic activity. This may be the cause of the death of the mother horse.

The Eurohippus messelensis was first described in 2006. This species is extinct and has a body smaller than today's horses, they are only as big as a hunting dog. This fossil site is of great significance for the archaeological research of mammals dating back tens of millions of years ago.