Madhya Pradesh: Prehistoric artefacts on fossil wood discovered in Ghugwa

Fossil parks are unique places that offer a glimpse into the Earth's ancient past. These spaces are where one will find preserved geological and paleontological treasures, some dating back millions of years. These parks serve as outdoor museums, showcasing fossilised remains of prehistoric life, including trees, plants, shells, and even traces of ancient creatures. One such fossil park is National Fossil Park at Ghugwa, Madhya Pradesh. Recently, an interesting discovery was made in this fossil park where a team of archaeologists from Ashoka University in Sonipat, conducting research in Bandhavgarh National Park and Tiger Reserve, found prehistoric artefacts made from fossil wood.

This discovery suggests that ancient hunter-gatherers used the fossilised tree trunks as raw materials to create their tools and artefacts.


Led by Professor Nayanjot Lahiri, a team from Ashoka University, including prehistoric archaeologist Akash Srinivas, Samayita Banerjee and Debdutta Sanyal (research scholars from Ashoka University) and naturalist Satyendra Tiwari from Tala, visited the Fossil Park to explore the region's natural history. It was during this visit, that the team discovered prehistoric artefacts made from fossilised wood, indicating that ancient people used these materials long after they had fossilised. Needless to say, this discovery is one of the first of its kind in Madhya Pradesh.


For those curious, National Fossil Park is managed by the Forest Department, and it features a museum and interpretation area showcasing fossilised tree trunks from the Cretaceous-period (over 65 million years ago), preserved since the 1980s.

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Speaking of artefacts, it is important to note that tools made from fossil wood are rare in India, with only a few examples found in Tamil Nadu, Rajasthan, and Tripura. Though the artefacts discovered at Ghugwa are yet to be dated, the researchers estimate them to be at least 10,000 years old. The discovered artefacts were mid-sized flakes about five centimetres long. Along with these flakes, some microliths of about two centimetres were also found in the same area. Researchers believe that this indicated continuous occupation and use over time.


Interestingly, one microlith made from fossil wood suggests that different groups of ancient people used the same raw material to make tools, at different times.

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Further research in the area is expected to uncover more details about the site, and about the lives of our ancestors.

Madhya Pradesh boasts numerous prehistoric sites, including the UNESCO World Heritage site of Bhimbetka, Hathnora (where the famous Narmada woman's skull fragment was found), and several others like Neemtone, Pilikarar, and Mahadeo Piparia. These sites primarily feature stone tools made from materials like quartzite, chert, and sandstone. However, the recent discovery at the fossil park reveals that our ancestors also utilised fossil wood. This suggests that they were not limited to stone resources alone.