A rhino belonging to the species Dihoplus pikermiensis, estimated to be 8–8.5 million years old, has been found in the Sitia Geopark, once again highlighting the paleontological wealth of the UNESCO Global Geopark.

The scientific research was conducted by Professor of Paleontology and Stratigraphy Giorgos Iliopoulos and his team from the Laboratory of Paleontology and Stratigraphy of the Department of Geology at the University of Patras.

Speaking to the Athens-Macedonian News Agency (AMNA), Mr. Iliopoulos said that last March, as part of the collaboration (and funding) between the Laboratory of Paleontology and Stratigraphy, the UNESCO Global Geopark of Sitia and the Municipality of Sitia to showcase the geopark’s paleontological wealth, they identified a new site with fossilized bones during a paleontological survey carried out in the Magantze and Trapeza areas of the geopark.

Among the finds, the skull of a large mammal stood out. “The material was transferred to the Laboratory of Paleontology and Stratigraphy of the Department of Geology at the University of Patras, where it was cleaned and preserved, while during its study it became clear that it was the skull of a rhinoceros.”

As for the species of this rhinoceros, Mr. Iliopoulos explained that, based on the morphological characteristics of the skull, it was identified as Dihoplus pikermiensis, a two-horned rhinoceros that lived during the Upper Miocene and is a typical species of the so-called Pikermian Fauna, which inhabited western Eurasia during that period. It has also been found at other similar sites in Greece, such as Pikermi in Attica.

“We could actually say that it is the same age as the giant deinotherium of Agia Fotia in Sitia (Deinotherium proavum) and, consequently, its age is 8–8.5 million years,” he said.

Regarding the area of the UNESCO Global Geopark of Sitia, Mr. Iliopoulos stressed its importance, as it encompasses a paleontological history spanning almost 300 million years, from Carboniferous plant remains and Cretaceous rudists to the giant Deinotherium of the Miocene and the endemic dwarf mammals of the Pleistocene.

“For quite some time, there had been hope that more Miocene mammals would be found in the Sitia Geopark area. However, the site where it was found came as a surprise to the researchers, as it was a coastal site,” Mr. Iliopoulos stressed, highlighting the importance of the area and explaining that this discovery could prove to be the beginning of a series of new and significant finds.

“The discovery of the skull of Dihoplus pikermiensis has confirmed paleontologists’ expectations that the Sitia Geopark area is also important for Upper Miocene finds, and through the relevant scientific publications it will be placed on the global scientific map as an area of great paleontological interest for the Upper Miocene. With the support of the geopark and the Municipality of Sitia, research will continue in the coming period, and we hope it will soon yield new, equally major and significant paleontological finds, which will provide the material for a local paleontological museum,” he told AMNA.

In addition to Mr. Iliopoulos, who participated as the head of the team, the group involved in the excavations and preservation of the Dihoplus pikermiensis consists of Dr. Penelope Papadopoulou, Dr. Irena Pappa, PhD candidate Dimitra Valavani, Benoit Ficart and Thomas Beard.