Archaeologists in Germany have uncovered the remains of an enormous elephant dating back around 300,000 years.

The almost-complete skeleton was discovered by experts from the University of Tubingen in Schöningen.

Jordi Serangeli, head of the excavation, said: “We found both 2.3-metre-long tusks, the complete lower jaw, numerous vertebrae and ribs as well as large bones belonging to three of the legs and even all five delicate hyoid bones."

The elephant was an older female with worn teeth, according to archaeologist Ivo Verheijen.

He explained: “The animal had a shoulder height of about 3.2 metres and weighed about 6.8 tonnes - it was therefore larger than today's African elephant cows.”

According to Mr Verheijen, the elephant probably died of old age and not as a result of hunting.

He added: “Elephants often remain near and in water when they are sick or old. Numerous bite marks on the recovered bones show that carnivores visited the carcass."

However, the researchers also discovered 30 small flint flakes alongside the elephant, indicating that hunters likely cut meat from the carcass.

While several other elephant skeletons have perviously been discovered across Europe, the researchers say that this is the first of its kind in Germany.

Flavio Altamura, who analysed tracks around the site, explained: "A small herd of adults and younger animals must have passed through.

“The heavy animals were walking parallel to the lake shore. Their feet sank into the mud, leaving behind circular tracks with a maximum diameter of about 60 centimetres.”

While it may be hard to believe, the wildlife in Europe once resembled that seen in Africa today, including not only elephants but also lions, rhinos and bears.

Mr Serangeli added: “The wealth of wildlife was similar to that of modern Africa.”

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It's not a Coincidence that all these things are seen in this time of life