Indonesian Researchers Discover 500,000-Year-Old Elephant Fossils in Central Java

Indonesian Researchers Discover 500,000-Year-Old Elephant Fossils in Central Java
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Indonesian researchers have uncovered fossils of a prehistoric elephant estimated to be around 500,000 years old at the Patiayam archaeological site in Central Java, Arab News reported. The site, located on the border of Kudus and Pati regencies, has previously yielded ancient animal fossils.

The excavation, a collaborative effort by the Center for Prehistory and Austronesian Studies (CPAS), the Dharma Bakti Lestari Foundation, and the National Research and Innovation Agency (BRIN), began in 2024 and resumed this year with expanded digs. So far, approximately 50% of the excavation is complete.

Researchers identified the fossils as belonging to an Elephas type, representing a large prehistoric elephant, though the exact species remains undetermined. The fossils mainly consist of the front part of the animal and appear nearly complete, situated closely together.

Dating is currently based on the geological soil layer, with direct fossil dating pending. The fossils will be preserved at the Patiayam Archaeological Museum and may help secure national cultural heritage status for the site. Central Java is also home to the UNESCO-listed Sangiran Early Man Site.