66-million-year-old marine fossil discovered in Külhöyük excavations in Ankara's Gölbaşı
It has been announced that the 66-million-year-old Gastropoda fossil uncovered during archaeological excavations in Külhöyük belongs to the Tethys Sea era.
A Gastropoda fossil belonging to a creature that lived on the shores of the Tethys Sea approximately 66 million years ago was found during the Külhöyük excavations in Ankara's Gölbaşı district.
Important Discovery in Excavation Works
A roughly 66-million-year-old Gastropoda fossil was discovered during the Külhöyük excavations carried out in Ankara's Gölbaşı district. The Ministry of Culture and Tourism reported that this fossil belongs to a gastropod snail that lived on the shores of the Tethys Sea.
Traces of the Tethys Sea
The uncovered fossil is thought to date back to the final stages of the Tethys Sea, which began forming approximately 250 million years ago and encompassed Central Anatolia as well. This situation sheds light on the geological structure of the region millions of years ago.
Find in the Ancient Settlement Area
It is evaluated that this fossil, found in Külhöyük—a roughly 5,000-year-old Hatti and Hittite city—may have been brought to the area by settlement residents thousands of years ago. This possibility paves the way for new research.
Statements from Authorities
Minister of Culture and Tourism Mehmet Nuri Ersoy emphasized that the discovery sheds light on Ankara's ancient natural history, stating that this important find was obtained during excavations in Gölbaşı Oyaca.
Ongoing Excavation Activities
Archaeological works in Külhöyük have been continuing since 2021 with the status of Presidential Decree Excavations. The excavations are carried out on behalf of Ankara University and the Ministry of Culture and Tourism under the direction of Assoc. Prof. Dr. Derya Yılmaz Tekin.