Ancient elephant tusk found in Pakistan

Islamabad, Feb 15: A Pakistani paleontological team has claimed to have discovered a 1.1 million years old elephant tusk in Punjab province, the media reported on Monday.

The team from Punjab University's zoology department has been engaged in research and excavation in Kharian area, Dawn online reported.

"The research scholars of zoology department have discovered a number of ancient fossils," professor Muhammad Akthar said on Sunday.

He said the team discovered 1.1 million years old elephant tusk that belonged to an extinct genus of elephant family - Stegodon.

"It measures approximately 8 feet long and 8 inches in diameter. It is the largest tusk of this elephant species ever found in Pakistan and belongs to an old individual," he said.

Bovid skulls with associated isolated teeth were recovered from Punjan Sher Shahana, Gujrat district, from where the elephant skull was recovered previously, he said, adding skull and teeth belonged to Reduncine, a relative of antelopes of cattle family.

IANS