Elephas sp

The triangular shaped specimen is a fossilized molar of an Elephas. It is an elephant belonging to Family Elephantidae. The fossilized molar has 13 lamellae forming a complete molar, measuring 24.3 cm. x 6.53 cm. x 13.71 cm. x 2.67 cm. and weighs about 1.8 kilograms.

This fossil is believed to be of Middle Pleistocene age or approximately 750,000 years old. It was collected by Dr. L. Jocano in 1965 on a gravelly slope in Sitio Bitoguan, Brgy. Jelicuon, Cabatuan, Iloilo. The Pleistocene rock where it was recovered consists of sandstone and conglomerate interbeds. Geologist called this Cabatuan Formation after the name of the town where these sediments are beautifully exposed.

The discovery of elephant fossils in the country is very important because it indicates that land bridge once existed between the Philippines and its neighboring country. These land bridges provided an avenue to which this large animal reached the Philippines.

Source: National Museum of the Philippines (Description/photo)
http://www.nationalmuseum.gov.ph/nationalmuseumbeta/Collections/Geology/Elephas.html
http://www.nationalmuseum.gov.ph/National%20Museum/National%20Museum%20Geology%20Significant%20Collections.html

Elephas sp

Sitio Bitoguan, Brgy. Jelicuon, Cabatuan, Iloilo.

Ang hugis tatsulok na ispesimen ay isang bagang ng Elephas. Ang Elephas ay elepante na kaanib sa pamilyang ‘Elephantidae’. Ang ispesimen ay may labingtatlong suson na bumubuo ng isang kumpletong bagang. Ito ay may haba na 24.3 sentimetro, may lapad na 6.53 sentimetro at may kapal na 2.67 hangang 13.71 at may bigat na 1,800 na gramo.

Ang fossil na ito ay pinaniniwalaan na may edad na gitnang Pleystosin o 750,000 taon. Ito ay nakuha ni Dr. Felipe Landa Jocano sa isang mabatong dalisdis sa probinsiya ng Iloilo sa Sitio Bitoguan na sakop ng Barangay Jelicuon sa bayan ng Cabatuan. Ito ay natagpuan sa batuhan na kinabibilangan ng batong buhangin at batong graba. Tinatawag itong ‘Cabatuan Formation’ ng mga heolohista alinsunod sa pangalan ng bayan kung saan ito ay magandang nakahantad.

Ang pagkakatuklas ng fossil na elepante sa ating bansa ay napakahalaga dahil ito ang nagpapatunay na noong unang panahon ay nagkaroon ng tulay-lupa sa pagitan ng Pilipinas at mga karatig bansa. Ang tulay-lupa ang nagsilbing daan kung saan ang malalaking hayop na ito ay nakarating sa Pilipinas.

Source: National Museum of the Philippines (Description/photo)
http://www.nationalmuseum.gov.ph/National%20Museum/National%20Museum%20Geology%20Significant%20Collections%20-%20Filipino.html