Cerro de los Batallones, Paleontological site in Torrejón de Velasco, Spain
Cerro de los Batallones is a fossil-rich hill in Madrid's region situated between the Jarama River valley and the Prados-Guatén Depression. Nine distinct excavation zones contain vertebrate remains from the Upper Miocene period.
The site was discovered in 1991 during sepiolite mining and prompted extensive excavations revealing fossils from around 10 million years ago. This finding opened new understanding about prehistoric life in the region.
Scientists from the National Museum of Natural Sciences conduct research at this location, examining fossils of prehistoric carnivores including saber-toothed cats and primitive hyenas.
Access to the excavation areas requires permission from Madrid authorities due to protected status. It is best to contact the relevant authorities before planning a visit.
Natural cavities here functioned as traps for carnivores, resulting in 98 percent of discovered fossils belonging to predator species. This unusual concentration provides rare insights into Miocene ecology.
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