Belonging to an early relative of ducks and geese, scientists have examined a skull that is over 60 million years old.

Scientists have studied a unique skull estimated to be around 69 million years old, which was discovered 14 years ago in Antarctica. It may belong to an ancient ancestor of modern ducks and geese.

According to Independent, Professor Patrick O'Connor from Ohio University believes that the bird lived along the coast of Antarctica during the Cretaceous period, at the same time as the Tyrannosaurus Rex.

Researchers think that this finding will help them learn about the earliest stages of evolution of modern birds.

The long skull of the bird, with its pointed beak and similar brain shape, was first discovered in 2011, but the research results have only just been revealed. Preliminary data suggest that the remains belong to an extinct bird known as Vegavis iaai.

This species of extinct birds was first described two decades ago by Dr. Julia Clarke from the University of Texas at Austin. These birds were extremely rare and went extinct at the end of the Cretaceous period, approximately 66 million years ago. The bird's body measured 61 centimeters in length and weighed over two kilograms.

Earlier, "Telegraph" reported on a valuable ancient artifact found in Zaporizhia. The discovered fragment of pottery is over five thousand years old and belongs to the Yamna culture.