STATESBORO, Ga., Oct. 1 /PRNewswire/ -- A 40-million-year-old whale, newly named Georgiacetus vogtlensis (Geor-gia-seat-us vo-gull-en-sis), will be placed on display at the Georgia Southern Museum (Oct. 4-25) marking the significant discovery of a new whale species.
Discovered in 1983 at the nuclear power Plant Vogtle site along the Savannah River in Burke County, Ga., the fossil was recovered in large limestone blocks by a Georgia Southern team of paleontologists. Their newly published description in the Journal of Paleontology documents a previously unknown stage in whale history, identifying the mammal's structural transition from an amphibious, seal-like lifestyle to a marine existence evidenced by modern species of whales. See http://www2.gasou.edu/pr/web.htm.
"This fossil initiates a new chapter in the history of mammals, and that chapter unfolds on Georgia's great coastal plain," said Del Presley, Museum director.
Whale fossil bones were discovered 30 feet beneath the surface at Plant Vogtle, a nuclear power plant that was under construction in 1983 by Georgia Power, a Southern Company.
A team of Georgia Southern University geologists and paleontologists, other scholars, and Georgia Power workers promptly, but carefully carved out two large blocks of sandy limestone that enclosed the skeleton. The specimen was donated to the Georgia Southern University Museum and has become the focus of scholarly interest throughout the world.
The fossil skeleton is remarkably well preserved and includes the skull, lower jaw, most of the teeth, vertebrae, ribs and pelvis. "It is perhaps the best preserved specimen of an early whale in the world," according to Georgia Southern University paleontologist Richard Hulbert, Jr., who has studied the fossil whale for the past seven years.
Georgiacetus vogtlensis is a continuing testament to the cooperation of a diverse team of scientists and a memorial to Richard M. Petkewich, whose leadership in the collection and preparation of the Vogtle whale built the foundation for its formal description and scientific publication.
Professor of Geology Gale Bishop and the late Associate Professor Petkewich arrived at the discovery site in late-May, 1983 and led the work on the excavation.
An opening reception for the museum's whale exhibit will take place from 2 to 5 p.m. on Sunday, Oct. 4. At 2:30 p.m., Hulbert and Bishop will discuss the discovery and significance of North America's oldest whale skeleton. Free and open to the public, Museum hours are 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday and 2 to 5 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays. For more information call the Georgia Southern University Museum, (912) 681-5444.