Thailand a world leader in fossils after jawbone find

[webfact]

FOSSILS
Thailand a world leader in fossils after jawbone find
Janjira Pongrai
The Nation



BANGKOK: -- Department of Mineral Resources deputy chief Tossaporn Nuch-anong yesterday unveiled the latest addition to one of the world's richest fossil collections, a Stegodon's fossilised jawbone of up to 1.8 million years old.

Some 100 new fossil specimens have been recorded recently in Thailand.The Stegodon jawbone was found among other fossils in a cave in Satun's Thung Wa district, attached to two lower wisdom teeth.

Tossapon hailed the fossil discovery as Southern Thailand's first of a mammoth-like animal with long tusks.

He said they had also found fossils of two ancient rhino species. The Satun fossils would be displayed for the first time at the Thung Wa Mammoth Museum to be opened in November.

The site survey also revealed exciting geological evidence such as sedimentary rock layers from the Paleozoic Era, the oldest of its kind discovered in Thailand, Cambrian Period shell fossils and blue-green algae sedimentary fossils from 440 million years ago. Thailand is the only ASEAN country with some 100 world-class-important fossils and Asia's second most prolific fossil source after China, he said. He said Thailand, in the past 20-30 years, had found many fossilised items including new species with spines -- such as the dinosaurs' five known families and eight new families, two new types of crocodile, four new fish and some 30 mammals.

In addition they also found fossils of 40 spine-less species including seven new corals, three nautilus/ammonite types and 20 brachiopods.

"These items discovered are the nation's heritage that we must preserve and we are registering them now," he said.


-- The Nation 2013-09-03

[RickeyParkany]

Fossil Hub! ;-} rap.

[edwinchester]

Hub of bone.

Sent from my GT-I9003 using Thaivisa Connect Thailand mobile app

[chooka]

are they real or pirated copies?

[bigbamboo]

If only they took as much interest in the welfare of live animals here.

[Ianatlarge]

Guys, lets try and be fair in our criticisms. He is trying: recognizing the importance of fossils, a museum, a photo op, science.

[Confuscious]

Sadly enough, most of the fossils in Thailand are still alive and walking around.

[Robby nz]

In addition they also found fossils of 40 spine-less species

Some of which are still serving as MP's and cabinet ministers the Thai Government.

But seriously, it is great that there are Thai scientists working on these thing and helping to increase world knowledge.

Always remember when I went to the Kalasin dinosaur museum, a great place and well worth a visit.

[chooka]

If only they took as much interest in the welfare of live animals here.

Now that would be a little counter productive to establishing the world archaeological hub. Living things don't make very good fossils. First you have to kill the tiger, bury it for a copy months and then dig it up with a couple of the elephant tusks imported from Africa and lay claim to discovering the worlds largest saba tooth tiger. .

[mayday49]

How about Hub of Fossils...!

[Yunla]

No surprise they found a fossil face. Next!

[sunshine51]

"They" find a hundred fossils and declare themselves a "World Leader" in

fossil finds? Hmmmmm perhaps a regional leader but world leader...nah.

The US, Canada, China, Russia, UK & Europe have found scores more

than a hundred. Toss in the African continent while China seemingly

has daily finds larger than a hundred....well....it's a moderatly ok BS

story for & by The Nation.

[lee b]

wow, amazing find then eh?

[CMFarang]

Interesting, but by no means a "world leader"

see how long it takes this find to end up on eBay or shopping.com

[atyclb]

At first glance I thought the story was about expats in Thailand.

[kiwiinasia]

BTW...

What is Thailand NOT a world leader in?

[Suradit69]

Sadly enough, most of the fossils in Thailand are still alive and walking around.

... and managing to post daily on Thai Visa.

[Cuban]

Have you been to a Thai museum ?

[phantomfiddler]

I honestly do believe Thailand is the world,s leader in just about everything, but don,t despair, the statute of limitations should expire soon

[maximillian]

Sadly enough, most of the fossils in Thailand are still alive and walking around.

Many of them come from Western countries. Aged 50 - 100 Mio. years.

Myself included.

[chooka]

BTW...

What is Thailand NOT a world leader in?

equality and justice for all

Garbage disposal

Environmental protection

and RICE.

[digibum]

Guys, lets try and be fair in our criticisms. He is trying: recognizing the importance of fossils, a museum, a photo op, science.

I agree but you have to admit that Thais tend to overuse phrases like "hub", "world leader in . . .", "super star", etc when it comes to anything having to do with Thailand. Had the "journalist" not been so quick to declare Thailand a world leader in fossils this story would not be receiving any of the mocking comments.

[Emdog]

I think they also dug up an indictment or two at the same site. Could be wrong.....

[General Topiks]

Sadly enough, most of the fossils in Thailand are still alive and walking around.

... and managing to post daily on Thai Visa.

a real feat then

[khaowong1]

"They" find a hundred fossils and declare themselves a "World Leader" in

fossil finds? Hmmmmm perhaps a regional leader but world leader...nah.

The US, Canada, China, Russia, UK & Europe have found scores more

than a hundred. Toss in the African continent while China seemingly

has daily finds larger than a hundred....well....it's a moderatly ok BS

story for & by The Nation.

As we all know that live here, Thailand has a very high opinion of itself. As I get around Thailand and see all the people living well below the poverty level, the dis-regard for human and animal life, the dis-regard for even basic health and sanitary conditions, I always wonder how in the world they have come to the conclusion that they (The Thai peoples) are the worlds leader in anything.

[tingtongteesood]

Thailand is already a hub of 'bone®s' and 'boneheads' too hahaha. I could also make a snarky comment about the 'spineless' species and how a great many modern Thai people are also 'spineless', but let's not go there.

In all seriousness, it is good to hear that there is some archaeology going on here and doubly good to hear that they are making good discoveries, I wish we would get newsw like this a lot more often. Good on you boys, keep up the good work !!

[bangon04]

If it is very worn down on one side, with extra large saliva ducts, then it could be the remains of an early TAT spokesman...

[i claudius]

Is it as old as some of the rice in Thailand?