Researchers find rare Jurassic-era fossil in Indian village

In the western Indian state of Rajasthan, researchers have made an exciting discovery in Megha village, located in the Jaisalmer district. Last week, some villagers were digging up a lake when they noticed unusual shapes in the ground that looked like a large skeleton. They quickly informed the authorities, and soon a team of scientists arrived to investigate. The team, led by senior hydrogeologist Dr Narayandas Inkhiya from the state's water department, found the fossilized remains of a rare crocodile-like creature called a phytosaur. This animal lived during the Jurassic era, which was more than 200 million years ago. The fossil measures between 1. 5 to 2 meters in length and is considered a significant find because phytosaur fossils are very rare.

The phytosaur was a semi-aquatic animal, meaning it lived both in rivers and on land. According to geoscientist CP Rajendran, the phytosaur eventually evolved into the crocodiles we see today. The discovery of this fossil is important because it can provide valuable clues about how animals evolved over millions of years. Dr Inkhiya believes that the site may contain many more hidden fossils, which could help scientists learn even more about the history of evolution. He also mentioned that the area could become an important spot for fossil tourism, attracting visitors who are interested in ancient life and history.

When the researchers dug deeper at the site, they also found what appeared to be a fossilized egg, which might have belonged to the phytosaur. Senior paleontologist VS Parihar, who is leading the research, said that the fossil suggests the animal lived near a river and survived by eating fish. Mr Rajendran pointed out that this is probably a rare fossil specimen, as only a few parts of phytosaurs have been found in other parts of the world. The area around Jaisalmer is known for its rich geological history. It is part of the Lathi formation, a region where dinosaurs thrived during the Jurassic era. In recent years, other important fossils have been found in Jaisalmer, including a dinosaur egg discovered by Dr Inkhiya in 2023 and fossils of the oldest herbivorous dinosaur found by Geological Survey of India scientists in 2018.

The discovery of the phytosaur fossil is exciting for both scientists and the public. It highlights the importance of exploring and studying ancient sites to uncover the secrets of Earth's past. The researchers are now carefully examining the bones and the fossilized egg to learn more about the phytosaur and its environment. They hope that further excavations will reveal more fossils, helping them piece together the story of life millions of years ago. This find not only adds to our understanding of prehistoric animals but also has the potential to boost tourism in the region, as more people become interested in visiting Jaisalmer to see these remarkable fossils.