Brief
8‑Million‑Year‑Old Rhino Skull Discovered in Crete’s Sitia Geopark
Greek researchers say the skull belongs to the extinct two‑horned rhino Dihoplus pikermiensis.
By Felo News Desk · Published
Greek news agency ANA reported that a rhinoceros skull at least eight million years old was uncovered in the town of Sitia, Crete, during paleontological work in the UNESCO‑listed Sitia Geopark.
The fossil, identified as belonging to the species Dihoplus pikermiensis, dates to between eight and 8.5 million years ago and represents a two‑horned megafauna of the Upper Miocene. Researchers found three intact molars in the upper left jaw, which they say will help determine the animal’s diet and age.
The discovery was made in March 2026 in the Magantze and Trapeza areas of the geopark, which spans a paleontological record of nearly 300 million years.
Key facts
- The skull was found in Sitia, Crete, within the UNESCO‑listed Sitia Geopark. (gulfnews.com)
- The fossil belongs to the species Dihoplus pikermiensis and dates to 8–8.5 million years ago. (gulfnews.com)
- Three intact molars from the upper left jaw were recovered with the skull. (gulfnews.com)
Sources
- [1] gulfnews.com — originally reported as “8-Million-Year-Old Rhino Skull Unearthed in Crete’s UNESCO Sitia Geopark”
