Hyderabad: A team of international Archaeologists revealed the world’s oldest ostrich nest dating back to 41,000 years, reports said.
The revelation was made by a team of researchers at MS university in Vadodara, alongside researchers from US, Australia and Germany. It was discovered after the excavation of a fossil rich site in Prakasam district of Andhra Pradesh.
The nest accommodated 9-11 ostrich eggs and provided insights into the habitat and behaviour of the megafaunal birds. The nests are typically 9-10 feet in width hosting about 30-40 eggs at any given time, scientists familiar with the project said.
Devara Anil Kumar, Assistant Professor at MSU’s Department of Archaeology and Ancient History said, “The discovery is pivotal in understanding the extinction of the megafaunal birds in India. The presence of 3,500 fragments of the ostrich eggshells in a 1×1.5m confirms the historical presence of South India and establishes the existence of the world’s oldest ostrich nest.”
The research is funded by the Leakey foundation and Devara Anil Kumar has been associated with the project since April 2023.
Critical data could be unearthed from this newly found nest and could shed light on the reasons for the extinction of the megafaunal species in the Indian sub-continent.
The ostrich nest discovered after the excavation of a fossil rich site in Prakasam district of Andhra Pradesh. Andhra Pradesh States News India: Top News India, States News, States News Headlines, Online State News India, State Politics news
