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A remarkable paleontological discovery has emerged from northeastern Spain. Researchers have uncovered a nearly complete 4-million-year-old juvenile tapir skeleton at the Camp dels Ninots fossil site in Girona. The specimen, identified as Tapirus arvernensis, belonged to a young animal estimated to be around one year old and is considered the most complete juvenile tapir skeleton ever found in Europe. The fossil was preserved with many bones still in their original anatomical positions, offering an exceptionally rare glimpse into the early life stages of an extinct species.
During ongoing excavations at the Pliocene-age site, researchers recovered a remarkably preserved juvenile tapir skeleton. With this discovery, the total number of Tapirus arvernensis individuals found at the site has reached seven, representing different ages and sexes. This makes the site one of the most significant reference localities for studying the species, offering rare insights into its growth, development, and population structure.
Experts are documenting the skeleton through detailed 3D recording and sediment analysis before transferring it to the laboratory for further study. Its exceptional preservation is attributed to the unique volcanic crater-lake environment of the site, which created ideal conditions for fossilization. Researchers expect the specimen to provide important insights into the biology, ecology, and evolution of one of Europe’s last tapir species nearly four million years ago.
@archaeologymag
Source:
archaeologymag.com/2026/06/4…