The fossils of four ancient armadillos the size of cars have been discovered by a farmer in Argentina. A farmer in Argentina has uncovered the preserved shells of four giant ‘ancient armadillo’ creatures called Glyptodonts that roamed the earth around 20,000 years ago. The largest of the shells is about the size of a Volkswagen Beetle. Ancient Armadillo The Size Of A Car Discovered By Farmer In Argentina
Tests will be performed to attempt to establish how old they are, what sex they were, and – potentially – how they died. At this stage, it is believed they are roughly 20,000 years old. They’ll have to be extracted using a digger, because the shells are so heavy. This isn’t the first time in recent years that Glyptodont shells have been turned up unexpectedly in Argentina. Another shell belonging to one of the long-extinct mammals was discovered in Argentina in October last year, as well as yet another four years ago. Despite those recent discoveries, these shells remarkably rare. Near complete shells – or carapaces as they’re known – are not found very often. So, what exactly were Glyptodonts? Well, they were like gigantic armadillos that were, at one stage, found all across Latin America, having developed about 20 million years ago. Much like their descendants these days, they possessed a large, tough shell that protected them from all sorts of dangers.
The use of the word ‘gigantic’ in this case isn’t an exaggeration. Glyptodonts could grow to around the size of a car, reaching as much as 10 feet long. Imagine a 10-foot-long armadillo. It’s a damn shame they no longer exist, because they sound absolutely badass. Fear not, though. The creatures were gentle giants, and were completely herbivorous. Unfortunately, it is thought that they bit the dust at the start of the last ice age. Their shells were made of bone and could weigh as much as 1,100lbs (500kg), which is about 20 percent of their overall body weight.
News
Exploring Peru’s Ancient Architecture: Mysteries of the Inca Civilization
I found myself at two sites where examples of Inca architecture and design could be observed in its finest form. Here below follows a visual tour. Immediately noticeable was the combination of strength, functionality, durability and visual appeal. Aesthetics always…
A Tomb Both Great and Blameless’: Marriage and Murder on a Sarcophagus from the Hellespont
Çanakkale Archaeological Museum Polyxena Sarcophagus side. Kızöldün Tumulus is the oldest known tumulus of Hellespontine Phrygia. It was found in the Granicus River valley, near Biga in the Province of Çanakkale in 1994. The discovery was the result of the…
After lying buried beneath the Egyptian plateau for over three millennia, a wooden sarcophagus finally emerges from the sands of Abydos, hinting at untold secrets waiting to be unveiled.
In 2020, a wooden sarcophagus emerges from the sand at Abydos; during archaeological excavations, after spending more than three Millennia, below the surface of the Egyptian plateau : In a breathtaking discovery that bridges chasm between ancient civilizations and the…
Parts of a marble sculpture of Roman Emperor Marcus Aurelius were found in Sagalassos, Turkey, revealing insights into the region’s art and history under his rule.
Parts of a giant, exquisitely carved marble sculpture depicting the Roman emperor Marcus Aurelius have been found at an archaeological site in Turkey. Fragments of the statue were unearthed at the ancient city of Sagalassos. So far the statue’s head,…
Roman emperor Philippus the Arab kneeling in front of Persian King Shapur I, begging for peace, and the standing emperor represents Valerian who was taken captive by the Persian army in 260 AD, The triumph of Shapur I, Naqshe Rostam, Iran.
The triumph relief of Shapur I (r.241-272), the most famous Sasanian rock relief from Naqš-e Rustam, is very close to the tomb of Darius I the Great. It shows how king Shapur has defeated two Roman emperors. The historical events depicted are these. In 244, the Roman…
Unveiling Ancient Egypt’s Predynastic Legacy: The True Builders of the Pyramids and the Controversy of Alien Giants with Elongated Craniums
The Tomb of Akhenaton’s Seal Bearer June 2007 The tomb of Betah Im Weya, King Akhenaton’s seal Bearer was found yesterday by a Netherlands mission during their excavation work in Saqqara necropolis. Dr. Zahi Hawass secretary general of the Supreme…
End of content
No more pages to load