The Provincial Council of Alava has recovered a giant ammonoid fossil near the quarry of the town of Nanclares de la Oca in Alava, corresponding to the Upper Cretaceous, approximately 87 million years old and with provisional measurements of 61x56x6 centimeters. The provincial institution explained that it was found by hikers, who reported it to the paleontologist Carmelo Corral, from Biogearium, the company responsible for the conservation of the collections of the Museum of Sciences of Alava, and he reported it to the Museums. and Archaeology and the Restoration Service.
In a coordinated manner, on September 4, the first meeting and visit with the discoverers and the Board of Directors of Nanclares took place, with the aim of locating, recognizing and seeing the state of the piece, and planning the action to be taken. During the work, it was found that the piece was compacted, without fragmentation or cracks, so that as soon as conditions allowed, the entire fossil could be extracted without problems and is now in the restoration service. The deputy for Culture and Sports, Ana del Val, explained the objective of “preserving it and making it accessible to the public as soon as possible, but not before having carried out as many scientific studies and restoration actions as necessary for its conservation.” , according to Europa Press.
“A great find”
“Without a doubt, we are facing a great discovery. In the world, ammonite fossils measuring around 40 centimeters are common, but this one is 60 centimeters long and would be the third that we have in the Museum of Natural Sciences of Alava, being neither the largest nor the smallest. ” Del Val noted. “This recovery for the public is only possible when the protocol is followed and in the event of the appearance of a possible paleontological element, the authorities in charge of the protection of heritage must be called immediately,” recalled the deputy.
“In the near future, it will be possible to enjoy it at the Museum of Natural Sciences. It is not excluded, if there is interest, to make a replica or a negative print, accompanied by all the photographic and scientific documentation that it provides, so that it can also be appreciated at the place of discovery,” concluded the person in charge of Culture.
