Ice Age mammoth bones stop construction of new metro station in Brussels

The find may eventually be displayed at the new station. Photo: Blega Photo Maarten Weynants

Construction of a new metro station in Brussels was suspended after the discovery of mammoth bones along its route.

Archaeologists excavating at the Tut-Tillmans station first discovered the antler of a Paleolithic red deer and the lower an Irish elk jawbone, and then found two femurs next to the fragment. mammoth tusk.

The discoveries provide new insight into the species of animals that roamed the Belgian capital 50,000 years ago.

Discussing the discovery of the bones, Anse Persoons, Brussels' state secretary for urban planning and heritage , said several major finds are made every day.

“It’s unique to discover so many unusual objects in one sitting,” she told the Brussels Times.

Rich history of prehistoric finds< p>The lack of artificial artifacts means that the remains of the animals will have to be further examined using radiocarbon dating to confirm the exact date.

Brussels has a rich history of prehistoric finds. as the city undergoes excavations for various major infrastructure projects.

Archaeologists have previously unearthed the remains of woolly rhinoceroses, mammoths, deer and bison, which are believed to have lived about 30,000 years ago in the mud of what was the bed of the Zenne , the city's buried river.

Work at Toots Tielemans station is expected to start again in March 2024 as part of the new metro line 3, which will move passengers between the south and north of the city.

Once the final finds are made. After analysis, they will be exhibited either at the new station where they were discovered or at the Brussels Museum of Natural Sciences.