Mandla: Students of Sarra Pipariya middle school in Nainpur tehsil of Mandla district, Madhya Pradesh made the discovery of a lifetime wherein they discovered old fossils that dated back to around 60 million years.
Reportedly, a teacher showed photographs of fossils while explaining a lesson to his students. The very next day, students presented real fossils to the same teacher that dated back to some 60 million years.
Scientists from abroad travelled to Mandla in order to verify the authenticity of these fossils. The students were also appreciated for their discovery.
How are fossils formed
On the death of the plant or humans, it gets decomposed or devoured or becomes part of soil. However, in certain circumstances, nature does not facilitate decomposition and turns them to fossils. Fossils are generally preserved marks left by organisms which could be footprints, nests, impression of leaves or faeces. These impressions made by organisms were made during the time when the subjects are alive.
Teacher's Reaction
According to the school's science teacher, Sanjeev Soni, he was amazed when his students brought the same fossils he taught them about a day ago.
Soni said that he showed some photographs of fossils to his students in order to describe its structures.
Later, Soni along with the children visited the spot where the fossils were found.
When this information reached America, scientist Steve Manchester of Florida University showed and flew all the way to India.
Manchester confirmed that those were indeed authentic fossils and dated back to 60 million years.
The fossils from Mandla are now being studied in America's renowned, Florida University.
Fossils are found in many areas of Mandla
Mandla is an exquisite place in India where a treasure trove of fossils has been found.
The district houses 'Mandla Plant Fossils National Park' that is sprawled over seven villages in Dindori district of Madhya Pradesh.
Here, one can find fossil forms belonging to the plant kingdom existing in India as long ago as 40 million to 150 million years ago. The Park is the largest one in Asia and the second largest in the world. The park lies in agricultural fields that has been cultivated since a long time ago.
Agriculturists have dug up numerous fossils and have discarded them as rocks and stones since they sometimes looked like ordinary rocks.
Reportedly, the administration is negligent about the seashells found in Pala Sundar of Nainpur Tehsil and the fossils found in Sarra.
The fossils, however need to be preserved for further research and study.
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