The skull of an elephant around six million years old, has been discovered in China's Yunnan province, the media reported on Saturday.
The fossil found in Shuitangba, Zhaotong city, puts the history of the mastodon species back one million years, said Wang Shiqi, a vertebrate evolution expert with the Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS).
Previously, the earliest fossil of the Chinese mastodon was found in Shanxi province, Xinhua news agency reported.
The latest discovery indicates the origin of the species may be in Yunnan and surrounding areas, according to Wang.
The study was jointly carried out by archaeologists from CAS and Pennsylvania State University.
You’ve reached your limit of {{free_limit}} free articles this month.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
Already subscribed? Log in
Subscribe to read the full story →
Smart Quarterly
₹900
3 Months
₹300/Month
Smart Essential
₹2,700
1 Year
₹225/Month
Super Saver
₹3,900
2 Years
₹162/Month
Renews automatically, cancel anytime
Here’s what’s included in our digital subscription plans
Exclusive premium stories online
Over 30 premium stories daily, handpicked by our editors
Complimentary Access to The New York Times
News, Games, Cooking, Audio, Wirecutter & The Athletic
Business Standard Epaper
Digital replica of our daily newspaper — with options to read, save, and share
Curated Newsletters
Insights on markets, finance, politics, tech, and more delivered to your inbox
Market Analysis & Investment Insights
In-depth market analysis & insights with access to The Smart Investor
Archives
Repository of articles and publications dating back to 1997
Ad-free Reading
Uninterrupted reading experience with no advertisements
Seamless Access Across All Devices
Access Business Standard across devices — mobile, tablet, or PC, via web or app