HÀ NỘI — The Phong Nha – Kẻ Bàng National Park will team up with the Việt Nam Archeologists’ Association to excavate a local cave after discovering three fossilised items at the site dating back tens of thousands of years.

Three fossilised pieces found at a cave in Phong Nha - Kẻ Bàng area. Photo 24h.com

Đinh Huy Trí, deputy director of the park said they are remains of the rhinoceros sinensis, a prehistoric rhino which lived between 30,000 to 50,000 years ago.

The Thượng Hóa cave is located in karst mountain range in Phong Nha- Kẻ Bàng area, and measures 2m in width, 15m in height and 20m in length. At the end of the cave, an underground water source flows above from the ground. The cave is near a village of Rục ethnic minority group.

Experts have confirmed two of the fossils are teeth and the third part of a jaw bone.

A report into the find stated:  “These are valuable fossils. Based on the weight of the fossils, the hardness of surrounding sediment layer hosting the fossils, the three fossilised pieces were believed to date back 30,000 to 50,000 years.” — VNS