Baripada: A major fossil discovery in Odisha’s Mayurbhanj district has provided new insights into the region’s prehistoric marine ecosystem, with researchers suggesting that present-day Baripada and surrounding areas were submerged under a shallow sea around 15 million years ago.
The fossils were unearthed from the Baripada Fossil Bed, which stretches from Dera in Kuliana block to Pratappur in the Badasahi block. Researchers have dated the remains to the Miocene epoch, a period marked by significant biodiversity and climatic changes.
Scientists say the findings indicate that large parts of present-day Baripada and nearby regions were once part of a shallow marine environment.
The discovery was made by a research team led by Dr Debabrata Nandi, Professor in the Department of GIS at Maharaja Sriram Chandra Bhanja Deo University, during a field visit with students.
Speaking about the findings, DR Nandi said the discovery was made during a field visit with students.
“During a field tour with students, I noticed some fossil-like remnants. When we asked local residents about them, they referred to them as ‘Asura Hadda’ or ‘demon’s bones’. We then conducted further investigations and found several fossils, including microfossils such as shark teeth and vertebrae, along with other specimens that are yet to be identified,” Nandi said.
He said researchers are working with palaeontologists and scientific institutions to determine the full significance of the findings.
“This most likely dates back around 15 million years to the Miocene period. If this had not been a marine belt, we would not have found shark teeth and fossils of other marine animals. Their presence clearly indicates that the area was once under the sea,” he said.
Researchers said the fossil assemblage includes shark teeth, fish bones, mollusc shells and microscopic marine organisms, pointing to a rich and diverse underwater ecosystem. Preliminary studies suggest that sharks account for nearly half of the fish fossils recovered from the site.
Nandi also emphasised the need for further studies to understand how the coastline receded nearly 60 kilometres from present-day Baripada.
“We need to examine why the sea retreated so far, whether due to climate change or other natural events. More research could reveal many additional insights,” he said.
Highlighting the site’s scientific and tourism potential, Nandi called for measures to protect and promote the fossil bed.
Nandi is of the view that this is the only known site in Odisha where Miocene-age fossils have been found. It can be developed as a geo-heritage site or a geo-tourism destination. Establishing a fossil park or granting geo-heritage status would help attract tourists and encourage extensive scientific research, he said.
