NCFU experts report that in January of 2022 they discovered teeth that belonged to a Southern elephant once. The teeth measure 15.5 cm and 12.5 cm, and are estimated to be around one million years old.

As Mikhail Sherstyukov (Lab Engineer, Dept of Geophysical search and exploration) noted, the artefacts have been treated with special substances to prevent further decay, and as soon as the works are finished, they will be delivered to the NCFU Museum.

The fossil Southern elephant represents an extinct branch of Mammoths, that used to inhabit the current area of Southern Russia about 1 million years ago, the climate being subtropical then. The animal fed on leaves and tree branches. Prior to that, a more ancient representative of proboscis used to live in the Caucasus – Gromov’s Elephant, which was succeeded by the Southern Elephant, a.k.a. the Southern Mammoth.

- Our students have a unique opportunity to come and see exhibits that are several million years old. All of them are part of a significant collection of fossil stuff that can be used not only for educational purposes, yet also as an initial base for further research and scientific activities. The finds of 2022 now will be a great addition to our collection, - Dmitry Bespalov (Rector, NCFU) was quoted as saying.

You are welcome to visit the NCFU museum at Building 16, # 16/1, Pr. Kulakova, Stavropol, Russia, preferably following a previous call by 8 (8652) 94-01-56.