Skull of Ice Age animal found in Tisza river due to low water levels

Remains of a prehistoric animal were discovered in the Tisza River in Hungary by staff members of the Water Management Directorate of the Central Tisza Region, who reported the find on Tuesday in a Facebook post. Three-quarters of the skull of the animal that lived during the Ice Age were buried in the gravel bed, and the only reason it was discovered now is the river’s extremely low water level.

The water management officials spotted the bone while rowing between Szolnok and Kisköre. At first, they thought the object protruding from the riverbed was an anchor, but upon closer inspection, they realized it was the remains of a large animal. The skull was taken to the János Damjanich Museum in Szolnok, where initial examinations determined that it likely belonged to a cave bear that lived during the Ice Age. Experts are currently working on determining its exact age.