WELLINGTON, May 13 (Xinhua) -- New Zealand scientists have confirmed a large part of Antarctica's ice sheet disappeared in the past, Radio New Zealand reported on Tuesday.

    Core samples from a hole drilled into the ocean bed under an Antarctic ice shelf appear to prove the sheet above has melted and been rebuilt over millions of years.

    Victoria University Antarctic Research Center Director Tim Naish said earlier studies suggested that the sheet would come and go, but it had not been confirmed until now.

    The findings are significant as they date from a time when climate and carbon dioxide levels were at a level the Earth will reach again in the next 100 years, he added.