Giant hippo bones reveal Norfolk's ancient past as a tropical savannah
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.Norfolk was once a tropical savannah with seven-ton hippos, hyenas and other exotic wildlife, archaeologists believe.
Norfolk was once a tropical savannah with seven-ton hippos, hyenas and other exotic wildlife, archaeologists believe.
Fossilised remains of two giant hippos were unearthed close to Norwich in April and go on show today at the Natural History Museum in London.
The bones date back 500,000 to 780,000 years to the Middle Pleistocene age and are the first significant find of animal remains from the period.
Experts believe that the hippos would have weighed between six and seven tons, in comparison to the modern species, which weighs about four tons.
It is believed the two specimens discovered died of natural causes, although their bones show evidence of hyena bites.
A Natural History Museum spokeswoman said: "The hippos lived when Norfolk had a landscape populated by an unusual mixture of familiar plants and animals and more exotic species now found only in African savannah. It had grassland and trees, and mammals, including water voles and hyenas." Archaeologists are to continue digs at the site - the location of which is secret - and hope to uncover fossilised hyena bones.Work is being carried out by the museum, experts from Queen Mary, University of London and the Natural Environment Research Council.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments