Ancient fossilised trees offer window into prehistoric India

In a groundbreaking discovery that illuminates the geological history of Morni Hills, geologists have unearthed 20-million-year-old fossilised wood. This rare find suggests that the region was once near a coastline, potentially transforming it into a hub for tourism and scientific research.

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Renowned geologist Dr Ritesh Arya from Kasauli, along with Dr Jagmohan Singh, made this astonishing discovery while researching for a field guidebook aimed at young geologists and researchers. Their observations led them to fossilised tree trunks embedded within the sandstone beds of the Kasauli formation.

Talking to The Tribune, Dr Arya shared that the discovery includes 10 to 15 fossil trees ranging from 1 to 12 feet in size, preserved in sandstone. These findings confirm Morni Hills as an untapped treasure trove for paleontological studies. One fossilised tree, measuring about 2 to 3 feet in diametre and 10 to 12 feet in length, could have originally exceeded 70 to 80 feet, indicating that massive ancient trees once thrived in the region.

What makes these fossils remarkable is their silicification process, which replaced the organic material with silica, preserving the tree barks in exquisite detail. This discovery provides an unprecedented glimpse into an ancient ecosystem that flourished millions of years ago.

Dr Arya noted that these fossils bear striking similarities to those he previously discovered in Kasauli and Barog. However, some of his earlier discoveries were lost due to infrastructure development, highlighting the urgent need for conservation.

Beyond its scenic landscapes, Morni Hills now holds new appeal for tourists, students and researchers. Visitors can witness remnants of ancient trees, effectively walking through Earth’s prehistoric past.

To maximise the potential of this discovery, Dr Arya urged authorities to develop guided fossil trails, interactive exhibits and geotourism initiatives. These efforts would not only protect these invaluable fossils but also establish Morni Hills as a world-class geological and adventure tourism destination.