Study of fossil sites in TN may fill under-explored gap in India’s prehistoric record NEW DELHI: A chance discovery of fossil sites exposed by torrential rains in 2023 in Thoothukudi, Tamil Nadu has unveiled India’s past fossil record dating back to the Holocene period (8,000–12,000 years). The findings have potential to fill a relatively under-explored gap in the country’s prehistoric record.“This discovery is important because it helps us better understand India’s ancient wildlife, environment, and climate,” Union environment minister Bhupender Yadav posted on X on Monday while announcing the result of the findings of a field survey.Yadav said the Zoological Survey of India (ZSI) conducted the field survey at the request of the Thoothukudi administration and the assessment confirms a newly discovered fossil bed, which significantly enriches the fossil record of India.Scientific study of fossils from the Holocene period helps scientists understand how climate, vegetation, rivers, and coastlines evolved after the last Ice Age.In a coastal district of Thoothukudi, the assessment can also reveal changes in sea levels along India’s southeastern coast, shifts in monsoon patterns and the past ecosystems comprising grasslands, wetlands, water bodies and forests.Unlike Africa or Europe, India’s Holocene fossil record is less systematically documented and therefore the recent discoveries may help in strengthening chronological continuity from prehistoric to historic periods.About the AuthorVishwa MohanVishwa Mohan is Senior Editor at The Times of India. He writes on environment, climate change, agriculture, water resources and clean energy, tracking policy issues and climate diplomacy. He has been covering Parliament since 2003 to see how politics shaped up domestic policy and India’s position at global platform. Before switching over to explore sustainable development issues, Vishwa had covered internal security and investigative agencies for more than a decade.Read MoreEnd of ArticleFollow Us On Social MediaVideos’Once-in-a-Generation’ India Signs Free Trade Agreement With New Zealand After a Decade of Talks’Attack By BJP Goons’: TMC MP Mitali Bag’s Car Vandalised In Hooghly, BJP Denies TMC’s Charge’You Are Married Because AAP Made You Rajya Sabha Member’: Saurabh Bharadwaj Attacks Raghav ChadhaNDA Surges In Rajya Sabha After Chadha-Led AAP Exodus, BJP Nears Majority“Right Man, Wrong Party”: Raghav Chadha Defends Exit From AAP In New Video“Bound To Happen”: Congress MLA’s Take On Trump Event ShootingArvind Kejriwal Shocks Court With Refusal To Appear In Excise Case“Hope Of Justice Shattered”: Kejriwal Skips Court, Sends Letter To Justice Swarana KantaAAP Workers Detained Outside Raghav Chadha’s House During Mumbai Protest“Fix Delhi And Pahalgam First” West Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee Launches Fierce Attack On BJP123PhotostoriesHow Brahma Muhurta Routines Can Improve Focus, Clarity, and Discipline8 historic landmarks in Mumbai that are more than 100 years old: Why you should visit themTop 5 residential areas of Nashik for quality living and investmentAC vs cooler: What works best for DelhiAamir Khan tears up at son Junaid Khan and Sai Pallavi’s ‘Ek Din Ki Mehfil’ event: 5 times the actor got emotional in publicGreen and red food combinations that boost nutrient absorption instantlySummer Special: How to make Kaache Aam ki Launji at homeOTT releases this week (April 27-May 3, 2026): ‘Glory’, ‘The Kerala Story 2, ‘Wuthering Heights’, ‘Aadu 3’ and more7 British vegetables that can grow in the balcony during this season‘Hera Pheri’, ‘Bhool Bhulaiyaa’, ‘Malamaal Weekly’, ‘Chup Chup Ke’: Priyadarshan’s comedy classics to watch on OTT123Hot PicksWest Bengal PollsPM ModiMamata BanerjeeRahul GandhiBengal RallyWest Bengal ElectionsMatua CommunityTop TrendingRussini Mike Photo ControversyTamil Nadu electionNFL Trade RumorsPetrol Diesel PriceAssam HS 12th ResultJac Class 12 ResultPatrick MahomesBengal PollsJack GrealishIPL Orange Cap

Study of fossil sites in TN may fill under-explored gap in India’s prehistoric record  NEW DELHI: A chance discovery of fossil sites exposed by torrential rains in 2023 in Thoothukudi, Tamil Nadu has unveiled India’s past fossil record dating back to the Holocene period (8,000–12,000 years). The findings have potential to fill a relatively under-explored gap in the country’s prehistoric record.“This discovery is important because it helps us better understand India’s ancient wildlife, environment, and climate,” Union environment minister Bhupender Yadav posted on X on Monday while announcing the result of the findings of a field survey.Yadav said the Zoological Survey of India (ZSI) conducted the field survey at the request of the Thoothukudi administration and the assessment confirms a newly discovered fossil bed, which significantly enriches the fossil record of India.Scientific study of fossils from the Holocene period helps scientists understand how climate, vegetation, rivers, and coastlines evolved after the last Ice Age.In a coastal district of Thoothukudi, the assessment can also reveal changes in sea levels along India’s southeastern coast, shifts in monsoon patterns and the past ecosystems comprising grasslands, wetlands, water bodies and forests.Unlike Africa or Europe, India’s Holocene fossil record is less systematically documented and therefore the recent discoveries may help in strengthening chronological continuity from prehistoric to historic periods.About the AuthorVishwa MohanVishwa Mohan is Senior Editor at The Times of India. He writes on environment, climate change, agriculture, water resources and clean energy, tracking policy issues and climate diplomacy. He has been covering Parliament since 2003 to see how politics shaped up domestic policy and India’s position at global platform. Before switching over to explore sustainable development issues, Vishwa had covered internal security and investigative agencies for more than a decade.Read MoreEnd of ArticleFollow Us On Social MediaVideos’Once-in-a-Generation’ India Signs Free Trade Agreement With New Zealand After a Decade of Talks’Attack By BJP Goons’: TMC MP Mitali Bag’s Car Vandalised In Hooghly, BJP Denies TMC’s Charge’You Are Married Because AAP Made You Rajya Sabha Member’: Saurabh Bharadwaj Attacks Raghav ChadhaNDA Surges In Rajya Sabha After Chadha-Led AAP Exodus, BJP Nears Majority“Right Man, Wrong Party”: Raghav Chadha Defends Exit From AAP In New Video“Bound To Happen”: Congress MLA’s Take On Trump Event ShootingArvind Kejriwal Shocks Court With Refusal To Appear In Excise Case“Hope Of Justice Shattered”: Kejriwal Skips Court, Sends Letter To Justice Swarana KantaAAP Workers Detained Outside Raghav Chadha’s House During Mumbai Protest“Fix Delhi And Pahalgam First” West Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee Launches Fierce Attack On BJP123PhotostoriesHow Brahma Muhurta Routines Can Improve Focus, Clarity, and Discipline8 historic landmarks in Mumbai that are more than 100 years old: Why you should visit themTop 5 residential areas of Nashik for quality living and investmentAC vs cooler: What works best for DelhiAamir Khan tears up at son Junaid Khan and Sai Pallavi’s ‘Ek Din Ki Mehfil’ event: 5 times the actor got emotional in publicGreen and red food combinations that boost nutrient absorption instantlySummer Special: How to make Kaache Aam ki Launji at homeOTT releases this week (April 27-May 3, 2026): ‘Glory’, ‘The Kerala Story 2, ‘Wuthering Heights’, ‘Aadu 3’ and more7 British vegetables that can grow in the balcony during this season‘Hera Pheri’, ‘Bhool Bhulaiyaa’, ‘Malamaal Weekly’, ‘Chup Chup Ke’: Priyadarshan’s comedy classics to watch on OTT123Hot PicksWest Bengal PollsPM ModiMamata BanerjeeRahul GandhiBengal RallyWest Bengal ElectionsMatua CommunityTop TrendingRussini Mike Photo ControversyTamil Nadu electionNFL Trade RumorsPetrol Diesel PriceAssam HS 12th ResultJac Class 12 ResultPatrick MahomesBengal PollsJack GrealishIPL Orange Cap


Study of fossil sites in TN may fill under-explored gap in India’s prehistoric record

Study of fossil sites in TN may fill under-explored gap in India’s prehistoric record

NEW DELHI: A chance discovery of fossil sites exposed by torrential rains in 2023 in Thoothukudi, Tamil Nadu has unveiled India’s past fossil record dating back to the Holocene period (8,000–12,000 years). The findings have potential to fill a relatively under-explored gap in the country’s prehistoric record.“This discovery is important because it helps us better understand India’s ancient wildlife, environment, and climate,” Union environment minister Bhupender Yadav posted on X on Monday while announcing the result of the findings of a field survey.Yadav said the Zoological Survey of India (ZSI) conducted the field survey at the request of the Thoothukudi administration and the assessment confirms a newly discovered fossil bed, which significantly enriches the fossil record of India.Scientific study of fossils from the Holocene period helps scientists understand how climate, vegetation, rivers, and coastlines evolved after the last Ice Age.In a coastal district of Thoothukudi, the assessment can also reveal changes in sea levels along India’s southeastern coast, shifts in monsoon patterns and the past ecosystems comprising grasslands, wetlands, water bodies and forests.Unlike Africa or Europe, India’s Holocene fossil record is less systematically documented and therefore the recent discoveries may help in strengthening chronological continuity from prehistoric to historic periods.



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