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  1. Research Group led by Professor Yamada Unearths Large Baleen Whale Fossil
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2023/11/22

Research Group led by Professor Yamada Unearths Large Baleen Whale Fossil

yamada-fossil.jpeg

Professor Katsura Yamada in the Faculty of Science, Shinshu University, excavated a significant whale fossil from the strata in Noshiro City, Akita Prefecture, northeastern Japan.

These fossils have been excavated by Prof. Yamada, her students, and collaborating researchers annually from 2021. The taxa of the fossils were unidentified before. The excavation collaborating with the Fukui Prefectural Dinosaur Museum in 2023 identified a mandible fossil, which exceeding 4 meters in length, of a large baleen whale.

In addition to the fossil of the mandible, several parts of the whale fossils, including ribs were found there. The research group, in collaboration with local residents, has plans to continue its investigations.