The Natural History Museum of Vatera
So, you have the longest beach on Lesvos... walking, archeology, wildlife... and Natural History!
The Museum of Natural History is located in the village of Vrissa and is just 2.5 km's away from the resort of Vatera. It contains one of the most exciting collections of Paleolithic fossils ever found not only in Greece, but in the whole of Europe and is well worth a visit.
The region of Vatera is uniquely characterized for its rare Paleolithic fossils and during excavations various fossils were found in lakes, on lake banks and in surrounding rivers. This was a fresh water environment and apart from the fish, fossils of various plant-life have been discovered including aquatic carnivorous plants and various bulrush, types which no longer exist today.
The bones and jaw of the carnivorous Nyctereutes Megamastoides were also discovered a relative of today's Nyctereutes, as well as the bones of camels, rhinoceroses, various sized deer, antelopes, gazelles, and other bovine creatures and tortoises. It is worth noting the existence of a rich fauna of fossils freshwater fish, various sized shells and fossilized flora.
Wooly Mammoths and giant tortoises !
