A group of researchers led by paleontologist Nicolae Trif discovered numerous fossils of sharks and sea cats in two sites in the north of Sălaj and the south of Maramureș.
Researchers still have to examine some of the fossils found Photo Tower of the Council
The Romanian Nicolae Trif, paleontologist and museographer at the Museum of Natural History within the Brukenthal National Museum, led the research team. The scientists analyzed the found fossils under a microscope. The results show that some shark teeth discovered in Transylvania, partially studied, show completely unknown morphologies.
“It is about an area in the north of Sălaj county and one in the south of Maramureș county. These are known among experts. Here we found a lot of teeth and other fossils. Their in-depth analysis follows because we want to work in an integrated way, all these discoveries together can give us an overview of the place where these fish lived”, said specialist Nicolae Trif for Turnul Sfatului.
Specialists determined that the teeth may belong to an unknown species of shark. They will continue examining the fossils, saying their work will take a year or two before they can draw final conclusions.
The research project has funding from National Geographic and aims to map fossils from the Eocene-Oligocene period, but also to reveal the findings to the public. More than 10 previously little-known places were visited, most of them in northwest Romania.
