Whale skeleton found in Thailand contains clues to climate change

A whale skeleton believed to be up to 5,000 years old has been discovered, almost perfectly preserved, by researchers in Thailand. 

The skeleton, which is believed to be that of a Bryde's whalewas found in Samut Sakhon, west of Bangkok.

Researchers have uncovered 80 % of the remains and have so far identified 19 complete vertebrae, five ribs, a scapula and fins.

The skeleton is 12 metres long, with a skull 3 metres long.

The bones will be carbon-dated to verify their age, but are thought to be between 3,000 and 5,000 years old.

Bryde's whales are still found in Thai waters, where they are considered a protected species.

The whales - which prefer waters above 16°C, and feed on schooling fish such as anchovies - are threatened by fishing equipment as well as by tourism.

The remains, which were found about 12km inland, will help scientists understand the evolution of the species, and track how sea levels have changed over the millennia, said Varawut Silpa-archa, the minister of natural resources and environment.

Marcus Chua of the National University of Singapore said the discovery adds to evidence of "relatively large changes in sea level about 6,000 to 3,000 years ago in the Gulf of Thailand, where the coastline was up to tens of kilometres inland from the present coastline.

Previously, only marine deposits containing small fossilised shells or marine crabs had been found inland, and it was not known whether these fossils had been moved by humans, said Mr Chua.

"A large fossilised whale from thousands of years ago near Bangkok would give us solid evidence of where the sea was at that time," he said.

Such evidence is highly relevant, given that the climate crisis is contributing to sea level rise.

"This could certainly draw attention to the issue, and show how and where low-lying areas could be inundated by the sea when this happens," said Mr Chua.

This discovery will also help researchers better understand Bryde's whales, as well as other marine life.

In addition to the skeleton, the researchers found preserved objects, including shark teeth and shells.

"Scientists will also be able to study the deposits found at the same level as the whale to reconstruct the biological communities present at that time, and compare them to present-day systems," said Chua.

The exact age of the skeleton should be confirmed in December.

See also :

Siamraptor: a new dinosaur species discovered in Thailand

3,000-year-old cave paintings discovered in Thailand

Rock paintings discovered in western Thailand

Source: theguardian.com