Thaindian News

Sydney, July 19 (THAINDIAN NEWS) Scientists in Sydney have discovered a cave that contains fossils, which date back to 15 million years ago. The fossils are that of prehistoric marsupials in the Outback.

The discovered fossils have similarities to the modern day koalas and kangaroos. The fossils were well preserved in the cave when scientists discovered it. The fossils included skeletons of young Nimbadon babies who were still in their mother’s pouches.

The scientists say the fossils were extraordinarily well preserved but they are surprised how the fossils were found together in one cave. But some theorize that the herds might have accidentally fallen into the cave.

The cave also contains 26 skulls, which belong to an extinct creature called Nimbadon lavarackorum. The creatures also had large claws that scientists believe might have aided the creatures to climb trees like Koalas.

Scientists published the findings in the Journal of Vertibrates Paleontology.

Researchers have been searching the field where the cave was found since 1990 and in 1993, they had discovered Nimbadon skulls.

Australian scientists described the find as significant because such finds are very rare. “It’s extraordinarily exciting for us. It’s given us a window into the past of Australia that we simply didn’t even have a pigeonhole into before. It’s an extra insight into some of the strangest animals you could possibly imagine,” according to the University of New South Wales paleontologist Mike Archer, who was also the co-author of the article.