Nearly three decades ago, a team of archaeologists was excavating a vast cave on Mount Owen in New Zealand when they made a remarkable discovery—a gigantic bird’s claw that was still intact, complete with preserved flesh and scaly skin.
At first glance in the dimly lit cave, it appeared to be part of a recently deceased dinosaur. The claw was so well-preserved that it was difficult to believe it was thousands of years old.
Subsequent analysis revealed that the specimen was the mummified remains of a claw belonging to a Moa bird, dating back approximately 3,300 years. The Moa was a rare prehistoric bird native to New Zealand, which became extinct several centuries ago.
Genetic studies suggest that Moa birds first appeared around 18.5 million years ago, with at least ten distinct species once inhabiting the region. However, human activity and exploitation drove them to extinction, making it one of the most rapid cases of human-induced species loss recorded in history.
Posted Using INLEO