When the Rhinoceros Roamed
Never have I imagined that once there were Rhinoceros that roamed our land. Unearthed from Manila and Kalinga Philippines are the remains of an extinct member of the Rhinoceros. Parts of the remains were on display as clear evidence of the creature and not only that but also evidence of early humans in our land.
When the Rhinoceros Roamed
On the left is the humerus bone which has been broken to remove the bone marrow by it's hunters. On the right is the right humerus bone which has a similar condition that also was broken. Just above it is a metacarpal bone with cut marks. At the top is a rib bone also with indication of cut marks.
A tooth of the Rhino was also recovered which also dates back 709,000 years ago. The method of electron spin resonance was used to date the age of the tooth. The method is a technique used in dating heated materials, carbonates and tooth enamel which happens to be our Rhino tooth. The age is known by the measurement of the amount of natural radiation since the date the subject has been formed.
Tools were also unearthed which suggests early primitive weapons. Hammer stones and flakes that could have been used as arrow heads and the larger pieces as axes. These stones can easily be dismissed as rocks but these were found along with the fossil remains of the Rhino. Analysis made is that the tools were used to butcher the animal at the same location.
An extra ordinary finding which leaves us wondering and thinking. What if they survived and still have them roaming out on our wide open spaces. Must be a beautiful sight to see such a magnificent creature thunderously grazing our land.
These fossils are a testament to a beautiful world that we have and unless we do our part sooner or later all will be lost. All that would be left are fossils that would remind us of them.
Information sourced and photos shot from
National Museum of Natural History
Resource
Rhinoceros philippinensis
Electron spin resonance
The analysis was done by Thomas Ingicco
Nature
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All photos are original and taken with
Lumix GX85 Sigma 50mm 1.4 and 12-32 mm
.gif)
Lumix GX85 Sigma 50mm 1.4 and 12-32 mm
Paleontology has always been one of my favorite branches of science, vertebrate paleontology, particularly.
I've known about those examples of our country's prehistoric mammalian fauna, but did not get much into them because they were not as "cool" as the dinosaurs and other ancient reptiles. Hahaha!
Coming from a STEM/military/artistic family, people thought I'd either become a biologist or other type of scientist (Mom is a chemist) or engineer, or pursue a career in the military.
But the movie Jurassic Park changed all that in an instant, and I got steered into an animation career instead, after seeing that movie.
As a kid, my art talent and skills were mostly used to depict my love for science and technology, and now, as an animator, I get to do the same and get paid for it too.
And when all my freelance animation tasks are done, I am going to stop working for a while and leverage all this knowledge and write STEM-oriented articles, complete with my own illustrations.
It really pays to be a geek or nerd in here. A female friend and fellow geeky artist was surprised to learn that prehistoric elephants (Stegodon) lived here before. So, I'll oblige and surprise her someday with a 3D model of a stegodon and post it here.
I agree with you that there are more prehistoric specimens to be discovered. This discovery surely fired up the curiosity of many paleontologists to dig deeper into older strata to look at what could be buried there.
But, sorry kids, our scientists cannot dig deep enough to look for dinosaurs, as the Philippines didn't even exist yet at the time the dinosaurs dominated the Earth.
You are quite an interesting fella. We are all destined to our own greatness and happiness. I'm glad you pursued your passion with animation and at the same adapt prehistoric animals with it. You have so much to offer to the community will look forward to your work. The best of luck to you my friend.
Who knows we might have a sabre tooth tiger somewhere
I haven't been close to a fossil before, but I imagine that those who find them surely get some sense of satisfaction for doing so I believe.
When I look at these makes me imagine the time of excavation. Makes me think about Jurassic Park the scene when they found the raptor claw.
What an interesting day it must have been for you. Thank you for sharing your experience in the museum through these awesome photos. Your post is featured in @bayanihan's 33rd Philippines' Curation Updates and received 100% upvote. Kudos!
It was a fantastic day with wonders and lots of things to learn from. I never imagined they existed in our country. Which makes me believe there are more extinct species that thrived here long ago. Thank you very much for the support.
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Thank you very much.
posible din naman may iba pag hayop na namuhay dito sa pilipinas noong unang panahon.. this fossil proves na meron nga.. malay natin baka meron pa diyan mga nakatago d lnag natin napapansin.
Madami pa yan which is exciting.