Ptilophyllum Fossils Discovered in Sahibganj, India: Unearthing Cretaceous-Era Secrets

Fossilized leaf imprints of Ptilophyllum, an extinct plant genus, have been discovered in the Sahibganj district of Jharkhand, India. The fossils were found at a newly excavated pond in the Chota Kesh area. The discovery was made by Anil Besra, a teacher, who noticed the leaf impressions while visiting the village. Dr. Ranjit Kumar Singh, a geologist, confirmed the fossils date back to the Cretaceous period, approximately 145 million years ago. These prehistoric imprints offer valuable insights into past climate changes and extinction events. The Rajmahal hills, where the fossils were found, are known for their rich collection of plant and animal fossils from 68 to 148 million years ago. This makes the area a significant site for paleontological research.