The electron energy loss spectra Of C-60 and C-70 fullerenes are investigated using spectroscopy measurements and theoretical calculations. An additional peak has been identified for C-70 above the carbon K-edge onset from our high-resolution electron energy loss spectra and analysed by density functional theory. Good agreement between theory and experiment is obtained, and the additional peak is found to be due to the electronic states associated with the 10 equatorial atoms in C-70. (C) 2005 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.