Press release issued by the Kythira Studies Society for the prehistoric fish fossil - the so-called «ichthyosaur» - found at the site of the «Ammouches», in Frigianica, within a parcel of land, owned by ECM.
In the announcement, the historical route of the important discovery is presented, the dating of the fossil is estimated, the actions that have been taken so far for its preservation are recorded and the next steps for further research in the wider area are presented.
Below is the Press Release.
On the occasion of recent publications of a local website about the paleontological findings at the site Sand dunes - Friligianikon Kythera clarifies that the property of the Kytheraic Studies Company is owned by the Company following a donation (Contract No. 3419/20-1-2006) from Georgios-Theodoros Kastrisios to the Company the parcel of land of 9.001,00 sq.m. text in the location «Ammoutses» of the Property District of the Municipal Division of Friligiankonikon of the Municipality of Kythera, «within which and near its south-eastern border with the rural road there is a fossilized fish».
It is a prehistoric fossil, the so-called «ichthyosaurus» or «osteichthy» according to the name given by Professor Emeritus of the University of Thrace Antonis Bartziokas. The age of this fossil, which was found in 1973, dates back to between 200 million and 20 million years before our era. This «fish» is unique because it could not be found in any other record.
It is recalled that the Society of Kythera Studies, many years ago, announced a study entitled Paleontology of Kythera. The study, published by the Society of Kytheraic Studies with sponsorship from the Nicolaos Aroni Endowment (Australia), was prepared in 1998 by Mr. A. Bartziokas.
Also on 16 January 2009, at a meeting of the Kytheraic Studies Society, in order to protect the fossil, it was decided to place stakes to mark the boundaries of the Company's property within which the fossil is located, as well as to put up relevant signs and it was decided to enclose the entire property. These works were undertaken and carried out by the then members of the Company, Mr. Emmanuel Kalligeros (Vice President) and Mr. Charalambos Sougiannis.
Finally, in November 2020, following a communication between the President of the Society of Kytheraic Studies, Mrs.K. Aroni-Cichli and the President of the Property Society, Mr.Evangelos Venardos, it was decided, after the restrictive measures due to coronavirus, to turn to the competent department of the University of Athens, with which Mr.Venardos has already contacted, in order to attempt research in the area as it is believed that there are other important findings.
For the Board of Directors of the Kythira Studies Society
The President
Aikaterini Aroni-Tsichli
Om. Professor, Panteion University
