66-million-year-old Tethys Ocean fossil discovered in Külhöyük
During the excavations at Külhöyük in Ankara, a Gastropoda fossil belonging to the Tethys Ocean, which covered the region millions of years ago, was found.
A Gastropoda fossil belonging to a snail that lived on the shores of the Tethys Ocean 66 million years ago was discovered at the Külhöyük excavation site in the Gölbaşı Oyaca region of Ankara.
Important Discovery at Külhöyük
At Külhöyük, which sheds light on the archaeological history of Ankara, an important natural history finding dating far back before human history has been reached.
Traces of the Tethys Ocean
It is thought that the Gastropoda fossil uncovered at the excavation site belongs to the final stages of the Tethys Ocean, which began to form approximately 250 million years ago and also covered Central Anatolia.
May Have Been Transported Thousands of Years Ago
It is emphasized that this fossil, found in Külhöyük, a 5,000-year-old Hatti and Hittite city, may have been brought to the region by ancient settlement residents.
Excavation Work Continues
The excavations, which hold the status of Presidential Decree-Backed Excavation, are being carried out on behalf of the Ministry of Culture and Tourism and Ankara University under the direction of Assoc. Prof. Dr. Derya Yılmaz Tekin.