We have real evidence that sharks were swimming in Lithuanian waters. It wasn’t that long ago – just before 70-80 million years in the Cretaceous period. Dr. R. Mertinienė collected shark teeth in the outcrops of Neris and Šventoji rivers.
The Nature Research Centre’s collection contains around 10,000 shark teeth belonging to 21 species, 16 genera and 12 families.
Shark teeth are used to determine the age of geological strata and to more precisely define stratigraphic units.
Interestingly, the outcrops where shark teeth were found no longer exist – they have been eroded, washed away by river currents, or covered up. The shark teeth collection is therefore of inestimable value.
The Palaeontological Collection of the Nature Research Centre contains 0.5 million fossils.
