Sangiran Archaeology Office to Excavate Ancient Whale Site

Bojonegoro, C.Java (Antara) - The Sangiran Ancient Human Site Preservation Office, Central Java Province, will conduct excavations at the Buntalan Village Site, Temayang District in 2016, where the fossilized remains of an ancient whale have been discovered.

Banyungawan Bojanegara local community member Nunung Dianawati said here on Saturday that the office has included the excavation in its program.

She further explained that the excavation will be carried out, since the fossils found at this site are not complete.

She estimated that the whale fossil found in Buntalan Village is about 3 meters in length.

In fact, she continued, the length of the largest whale fossil ever found anywhere in the world is some 8 to 11 meters.

"There is a possibility to find fossil whales left in the vicinity of the discovery site," Dianawati said.

Head of Cultural Development and Preservation at  Bojonegoro's Culture and Tourism Office, Suyanto, supports the excavation program at the archaeological site.

He added that the office also seeks to identify animal fossils from the community.

"Some animal fossils have been collected from the community," he said.

Sangiran is an early man site located about 15 kilometers north of Solo City, Central Java Province, covering an area of 5,600 hectares.

The area became famous after the discovery of Homo erectus remains and associated stone artifacts in the 1930's. (*)