Excavations in Caesarea in the central Turkey They brought to the surface skulls of elephants 7.7 million.
Excavations, which began in 2018 in Caesarea in Central Turkey, after referring to a local shepherd in 2017 near the Yamula Dam, continue under the supervision of the Museum’s Museum Department and the sponsorship of the municipality.
The skulls were located in the Kozasin area along the Kizilirmak River. The excavations also brought to light a variety of fossils, including residues of prehistoric giraffes, elephants, mammoths, rhinoceros, horses (before merging into the modern hoof), sheep without horns known as cattle, goat
Archaeologist Omer Doug told the Turkish Anadolu News Agency that his team excavations around the barrier, and is now focusing mainly on fossils of elephants.
“We can name this year, the year of the elephant,” Doug said.
“Since the excavations in 2018 began, we had found two skulls. But this year, in a single season, we discovered three, “he added, noting that while the tusks were somewhat damaged, a skull was found with the lower jaw intact.
A spectacular find, and the first of its kind in Israel: In archaeological excavations conducted by the Israel Antiquities Authority at the initiative of Caesarea development Corp., a Roman period marble sarcophagus (coffin) was uncovered, upon which was sculpted a special scene… pic.twitter.com/Jkyac4jBFi
— Archaeo – Histories (@archeohistories) July 6, 2025
Radiometric analysis dated the excavations in Caesarea about 7.7 million years ago, with most elephant fossils in the Sevril area, which is now called the “elephant zone”.
The archaeologist emphasized the importance of excavations due to the size and preservation of the fossils of Megapanida, which have attracted international scientific attention.
“The gathering of elephants in some places and the observed density provide information on the paleogeography of the site,” Doug said.
In addition to the relics of elephants, this year the team also discovered fossils of horses, rhinoceros and one -sided.