Suspected Dinosaur-Era Fossils Unearthed in Rajasthan's Jaisalmer
Villagers in Jaisalmer, Rajasthan, have discovered what appear to be dinosaur-era fossils while digging near a local pond. The find includes a large, bone-shaped structure and petrified wood. Geologists visiting the site noted that Jaisalmer's rock formations date back 180 million years to the Jurassic age when dinosaurs lived, making the discovery potentially significant. The site has been cordoned off as the Geological Survey of India prepares to conduct scientific tests to confirm the remains' age and origin.
Unpacked:
The fossils include a large bone-shaped structure, petrified wood, and possible vertebrate remains. Preliminary assessments suggest they may belong to a flying dinosaur or winged reptile from the Jurassic period, based on bone features and feather-like impressions.
Yes, Jaisalmer has previously produced notable dinosaur-era fossils, including the long-necked dicraeosaurid dinosaur Tharosaurus indicus, found in the region’s Lathi Formation. The new discovery could be the first flying reptile fossil from this area.
The Geological Survey of India (GSI) will conduct scientific tests, including detailed site studies, fossil analysis, and possibly radiometric dating, to determine the fossils' age and species. Confirmation could take weeks or months depending on the complexity of the remains.
If confirmed, it would be one of the rare flying dinosaur (pterosaur) fossils found in India, offering new insights into the region’s Jurassic-era ecosystems and expanding knowledge of prehistoric life in the Indian subcontinent.