Putting Samotherium in its Place

The Morphology of Giraffids and the Geology of Samos

By: Nikos Solounias

From £34.99

This book explores the rich Miocene mammalian fossils of Samos, from the ancient Greek myths that explained them to the Barnum Brown expeditions. It compares the osteology of the giraffe, okapi, and the extinct giraffid Samotherium, and maps the island's famous bone quarries.

This book covers three interrelated topics in the field of palaeontology/zoology. First, it presents the story of the paleontological excavations on Samos, the birth place…

This book covers three interrelated topics in the field of palaeontology/zoology. First, it presents the story of the paleontological excavations on Samos, the birth place of Pythagoras, which is famous for its rich Miocene mammalian fossils and faunas. It covers in detail the history and the ancient myths that explain the fossils. These myths clearly show how the Greeks interpreted the fossils. It also shows documents and images of the Barnum Brown Samos expeditions which took place in 1924. The second section covers in detail and compares the osteology of three species: the giraffe, the okapi and the extinct giraffid Samotherium. The third section of the book explains the depositional history of the eastern basin of Samos, including maps which document the location of the famous bone quarries and the radiometric ages of various horizons.

Nikos Solounias is a professor of anatomy and embryology at the New York Institute of Technology’s College of Osteopathic Medicine, USA, and a research associate in palaeontology at the American Museum of Natural History in New York. He has published 142 scientific peer-reviewed articles, including studies on the Miocene Samos fauna, various hyena fossils, the discovery and development of tooth microwear using the light microscope, and of tooth mesowear. He worked on the dietary evolution of horses through the Cainozoic, and the dietary evolution of the Miocene herbivores. Solounias’ research focuses on anatomy, embryology and ruminant evolution, especially in the Giraffidae family.

Hardback

ISBN: 1-0364-0414-5
ISBN13: 978-1-0364-0414-7
Date of Publication: 2024-06-24

Paperback

ISBN: 1-0364-4601-8
ISBN13: 978-1-0364-4601-7
Date of Publication: 2025-03-21

Ebook

ISBN: 1-0364-0415-3
ISBN13: 978-1-0364-0415-4
Date of Publication: 2025-03-21

Categories: Life Sciences, Agricultural and Biological Sciences, Animal Science, Earth, Geology

Pages: 280

Subject Codes:

BIC: PSVW7, RBX, RBGH
THEMA: PSVM, RBX, RBGH

Pages: 280

Meet The Author

Nikos Solounias

Anatomy and Evolution of the Giraffe

Parts Unknown

By: Nikos Solounias

From £32.99

Explore the legendary fossil beds of Samos, where ancient myths explained the bones of giant mammals. This book uncovers the island’s paleontological history, compares the anatomy of the giraffe, okapi, and extinct Samotherium, and maps the geology of these famed bone quarries.