Whale skeleton around 3,000-5,000 years old found in Samut Sakhon

A whale skeleton estimated to be around 3,000 to 5,000 years old was found in Samut Sakhon, just west of Bangkok, about 12 kilometres inland from the coastline. The bones will be carbon dated to determine a more precise age.

The Natural Resources and Environment minister Varawut Silpa-archa says the bones resemble the Bryde’s whale. About 50 Bryde’s whales live in the upper Gulf of Thailand near the Samut Sakhon coast.

“The seas around Thailand have been abundant with life for thousands of years, as shown by fossils.”

The partially fossilised skeleton is around 12 metres long with 3 metre long skull. Archaeologists excavated 19 vertebrae with 5 ribs each along with a shoulder blade and left fins. They estimate another 20% of the skeleton needs to be excavated.

SOURCE: Nation Thailand