Geologists have discovered fossilized leaves, assessed to be around 150-200 million years of age, in Jharkhand’s Sahibganj district.
Several 20 cm by 5 cm fossilized leaves of class Ptilophyllum have been found in Dudhkol mountain in Taljhari region on Saturday and further removal is in progress, lead geologist aide teacher Ranjit Kumar Singh of Sahibganj PG College said.
The uncovering is being led in relationship with National Botanical Research Institute, Lucknow under a venture of the Department of Science and Technology of the Union government.
“Such leaves were consumed by herbivorous dinosaurs. Smaller fossils from Upper Jurassic to Cretaceous period were earlier found in the region. We might even find fossilised dinosaur eggs during further excavation,” Singh told PTI on Sunday.
“I and my team have been working in the region for the last 12 years but we never found such prominent fossils before,” he said.
A few fossils were prior found in Maharajpur, Tarpahad, Garmi Pahad and Barharwa territories in Sahibganj and Sonajhari in neighboring Pakur district.
“There are chances of finding more fossils in this region,” Singh added.
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