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A Siberian Unicorn Skull Was Found in Kazakhstan

The skull of a “Siberian unicorn” (Elasmotherium sibiricum) was found in the Pavlodar Priirtysh Region of Kazakhstan. A study from the American Journal of Applied Science believes this could proved evidence to show the creature roamed the Earth longer than previously thought. 
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Unicorns and humans may have once walked the Earth, together. A new study from the American Journal of Applied Science explains why scientists believe this “Siberian unicorn” may have roamed the Earth longer than previously thought.

Prior to this study, scientists believed Elasmotherium sibiricum went extinct 350,000 years ago. But radiocarbon dating from a skull discovered in the Pavlodar Priirtysh Region of Kazakhstan provides new evidence that this creature may have endured, dying closer to 29,000 years ago.

“Most likely, in the south of Western Siberia it was a refúgium [refuge], where this rhino had preserved the longest in comparison with the rest of its range,” said Andrey Shpanski, a paleontologist at Tomsk State University.

The description “Siberian unicorn” might be a bit misleading, as its “look” in no way resembles the white unicorns of fantasy and myth. The Elasmotherium sibiricum actually looks quite intimidating; it stood 6 feet tall and 15 feet long, and weighed four tons. It had a shaggy coat and a long horn that protruded from its face, so you could say it looked more like a fuzzy rhinoceros than a graceful unicorn.

Fossilized skull reveals that a Siberian “unicorn” roamed the Earth 29,000 years ago: https://t.co/a2hXW2NmG3pic.twitter.com/gdZcJqC05w

— CA AcademyOfSciences (@calacademy) March 28, 2016

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