Giant “dragon” discovered in Selanik
Fossils of a giant lizard species resembling the modern Komodo dragon have been unearthed near the city of Selanik, in the Megalo Embolo area. The fossils are estimated to be around 4 million years old.
The discovery was confirmed as part of a study conducted by Hara Drakopoulou from Aristotle University, under the supervision of Assoc. Prof. George Lazaridis.
“This is the first evidence of this species ever found in this region and from this time period,” Dr. Lazaridis told the Athens–Macedonian News Agency (AMNA).
The Megalo Embolo site has been systematically studied for many years by the university’s Department of Geology. Numerous fossils excavated from the area are now on display at the department’s museum. According to researchers, the site is considered a rare Pliocene-era fossil bed, dating between 4.2 and 3.2 million years ago.
Evidence of a Different Climate
The identity of the giant reptile was clarified after a reexamination of fossils discovered by Lazaridis a decade ago.
According to GeekReporter, the exceptional preservation of the fossils and their unique nature for the region make the find particularly significant for the scientific community.
Lazaridis explained that the fossils’ excellent condition was due to special sedimentary conditions in Megalo Embolo, which prevented the bones from deteriorating.
From Giant Turtles to Primitive Horses
Under the supervision of Professor Kostopoulos, excavations in the area have also yielded a diverse range of fossils — including giant turtles, snakes, primitive horses (Hipparion), carnivores, mastodons, and rhinoceroses, all of which are now extinct in Greece.
“These animals lived in climates completely different from those of today,” Lazaridis noted. “This indicates that the region once had a much warmer environment and vastly different ecological conditions.”
