Jakarta. Residents in Nganjuk, East Java, have discovered a well-preserved fossil believed to be from an ancient elephant species that roamed the island of Java some 800,000 years ago. The fossil, thought to belong to Stegodon trigonocephalus, was found in a forest area of Tritik village, Rejoso subdistrict.

Locals searching for firewood found large bone fragments in a state-managed forest. Realizing the discovery was unusual, they quickly reported it to local authorities and the Nganjuk Tourism Office.

The Nganjuk administration later coordinated with the Geological Agency of the Energy and Mineral Resources Ministry in Bandung to conduct an official excavation at the site.

From the dig, researchers unearthed parts of a skull, tusks, lower jaw, ribs, and leg bones --all characteristic of prehistoric elephants.

“From the excavation, we found the lower jaw and teeth, which clearly identify this as an elephant fossil. We also discovered tusks, ribs, and leg bones. Based on soil and rock layer analysis, the fossil is estimated to be around 800,000 years old,” said Unggul Prasetyo Wibowo, a representative from the Geological Agency, during an on-site inspection on Thursday.

Unggul added that further coordination will be carried out with the Nganjuk government regarding the next steps for the fossil, including possible preservation and display at a local museum or the Geological Research Center.

The excavation site lies about 25 kilometers from Nganjuk city center. Researchers must travel roughly 3 kilometers by motorcycle from Rejoso’s main road and then hike another 500 meters through the forest to reach the location.

The find adds to a growing list of prehistoric animal fossils discovered across Java, following previous findings in Ngawi, Blora, and Trinil. Experts say Stegodon fossils offer vital clues about the evolutionary history of large mammals in the Indonesian archipelago.

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