Greek researchers find prehistoric skull
Researchers say monkey-like animal a little more than 3 feet long

KRIOPIGI, Greece - Greek researchers said Wednesday they had discovered a well-preserved skull of 5 million-year-old primate.

The remains of the Mesopithecus Pentelicus — a monkey-like animal, a little more than 3 feet long — were found in the northern Halkidiki peninsula, at KRIOPIGI Village.

"It's an important find because it's in such good condition," Evangelia Tsoukala, a professor of geology at Thessaloniki University who is heading the excavation, told state-run NET television.

"It had a tail ... it was herbivorous, and the skull is intact as well as the teeth," she said.

Local officials said they hope to build a museum in the area to put the skull and other prehistoric animal remains found at the site on display.

© 2006 The Associated Press.
Sakis
Kriopigi