Customs officials have handed over unique paleontological treasures, dating back 430 million years, to the National Museum of Natural History
These consist of six ancient stones with imprints of long-extinct creatures. Last year, customs officials in the capital protected them from illegal export out of Ukraine. Subsequently, following a court ruling, they were confiscated for the benefit of the state.
This was reported by Kyiv Customs.
The paleontological treasures were discovered by Kyiv customs officials in two international postal shipments. Both shipments were sent by the same resident of Ternopil, destined for Thailand and the USA.
In the package sent to the USA, there were three fossils, which specialists identified as red sandstone slabs containing the body armor of six so-called "Devonian fish" with undefined fragments.
The two fossils destined for Thailand turned out to be intact mollusks. Whole specimens are rarely found and possess unique scientific significance. Another fossil is a fragment of a eurypterid's shell.
The age of these paleontological specimens ranges from 408 to 430 million years. They originate from Podillia, the Dniester River basin. This is the first time customs has transferred such ancient paleontological treasures to the museum.
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