MACEDONIA

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Macedonia, Greece

8.7 - 6.5 Ma

In 2004, fieldwork focused on two localities: Ravin de la Pluie, the type locality of Ouranopithecus macedoniensis, and Ravin des Zouaves 5, the type locality of Mesopithecus delsoni. Significant discoveries include two Ouranopithecus mandibles and several other well preserved mammal fossils. Systematics work is now underway on the fossils collected In June 2005 the team of Palaeontology from the Aristotle University of Thessaloniki (Prof. G. D. Koufos, Dr. D. Kostopoulos, Dr. I. Sylvestrou, M.Sc T. Vlachou and George Konidaris) excavated in two mammalian localities (Nikiti-1 and Nikiti-2) of Macedonia, Greece. Nikiti-1 is a locality which yielded Ouranopithecus macedoniensis and locality Nikiti-2 is situated about 20 m above it and could probably include the same hominoid. Several interesting fossils have been found (three hipparion skulls associated with the mandible, skull of Tragoportax, etc.) which enhances our understanding of the morphology of the mammalian taxa found. The first remains of carnivores were also found in Nikiti-2. Among the material found there is a tusk of about 2.7 m. The material is in preparation.