Ancient Sea Monster Unearthed in Tรผrkiye: 17-Meter Mosasaurus Fossil a First for Asia
KASTAMONU, Tรผrkiye โ- A remarkably complete fossilโ of a Mosasaurusโ hoffmanni, a marineโค reptileโ contemporary with theโฃ dinosaurs,โ has been discovered inโฃ the Devrekani region of Kastamonu, Tรผrkiye. โขThe find marks the first finding of this species in Asia and one of only โsevenโฃ locations worldwide where Mosasaurus fossils have been identified. โค
The fossil, estimated to be approximatelyโค 17โค meters (55 feet) long, representsโ a meaningful contribution to paleontology, according to researchers at Hacettepe University. Mosasaurus โขhoffmanni was a dominant predatorโ inโ ancient oceans,โค preying โฃon fish and crabs โฃfor roughlyโค 30 โmillion years.
“There is no other Mosasaurus discovery in the entire Asian continent,” stated Prof. Dr. Tunoฤlu,who led the research. “This is a great value for Kastamonu.” He advocates for the area to beโ designated a protectedโ fossil site. Previously, Mosasaurus fossils had only been found in the Netherlands, Belgium,โ France, Poland, Bulgaria, Italy, and Tรผrkiye.
confirmation of the fossil’s species โฃcame through collaboration with dr. Nathalie Bardet of the Paris Natural Historyโ Museum. The discoveryโค is now on display โat the Kastamonu City Museum, where a dedicated room has been prepared.
“This discovery, which is Kastamonu’s gift to the universe, can shape the image of the city,”โฃ said Dr. Muratโค Karasalihoฤlu, director of the Kastamonu Cityโ Museum. “This fossil is not just a scientific find, it is a symbol of Kastamonu opening up to the โworld.”