Professor Debabrata Nandi and his students were out on a field visit when they noticed some fossil-like remnants. When they approached local residents, they learned that these were referred to as 'Asura Hadda' or 'demon's bones'.
"After that, we investigated further and found several fossils, including microfossils such as shark teeth and shark vertebrae, along with some other elements that we haven't been able to identify yet," Nandi was quoted as saying by ANI.
The fossils, estimated to be around 15 million years old, date back to the Miocene epoch, a period known for significant biodiversity and climatic changes. They were unearthed from the Baripada Fossil Bed and identified by Dr Debabrata Nandi, Assistant Professor in the Department of Remote Sensing and GIS at Maharaja Sriram Chandra Bhanja Deo University, Baripada.
Further investigation revealed that the Baripada town of Odisha's Mayurbhanj district was part of an ancient marine ecosystem. It brought to light that the entire region, including modern-day Baripada and surrounding areas, was submerged in shallow seas.
Scientific and Tourism Potential
Researchers, palaeontologists, and other scientific institutions have collaborated to determine the full significance of the findings. The fossil assemblage includes shark teeth, fish bones, mollusc shells, and microscopic marine organisms, indicative of a diverse underwater ecosystem. Notably, sharks account for nearly half of the fish fossils discovered from the Baripada Fossil Bed, which stretches from Dera in Kuliana block to Pratappur in Badasahi block.
According to Nandi, the site has great scientific and tourism potential, for which he advocated its protection and recognition. "I would say that we can develop it as a geo-heritage site or promote geo-tourism because this is the only place in Odisha where Miocene-age fossils are found. If we establish a fossil park or declare it a geo-heritage site, we can showcase it to tourists and encourage extensive research," he told ANI.
Moreover, he also emphasized the need for further studies to understand how the coastline receded nearly 60 km 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.
