Protictitherium fossil map
Where fossils of Protictitherium have been found, shown on the Earth as it looked about 15 million years ago and on today’s map.
Dots are fossil collections recorded in the Paleobiology Database. The “then” view moves today’s fossil sites back to their positions 15 million years ago (the time slice nearest the median age of the fossils) using the Merdith et al. (2021) plate model; positions are approximate. Open on the timeline map →
| Group | Early mammals |
|---|---|
| Lived | 20.45–5.09 million years ago (Burdigalian to Zanclean) |
| Periods | Neogene |
| Family | Hyaenidae |
| Named by | Kretzoi 1938 |
| Fossil records | 44 occurrences at 18 locations (PBDB) |
| Found in | France, Türkiye, Spain, Greece, Germany, China, Moldova |
| Rock formations | txn:41020, Nea Messimvria, Ville, Brackwater Molasse, Chersonian, Dytiko |
About Protictitherium
Protictitherium (gr. first striking beast) is an extinct genus of hyena that lived across Europe and Asia during the Middle and Late Miocene, it is often considered to be the first hyena since it contains some of the oldest fossils of the family. They were especially prolific in Turkey, where every species has been registered.
Text in “About” is quoted from the Wikipedia article Protictitherium (revision 1362629383), licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0; introduction excerpted verbatim, formatting removed. Ages, family, authority and fossil records: Paleobiology Database, accessed 23 October 2026. Ages are those of the rock layers the fossils were found in. Wikidata: Q142046.
