CHANDIGARH: Dr Ritesh Arya a renowned geologist by chance discovered fossil tree from Nanak Hill and Magnetic Hill. The discovery will open a new window into Ladakh’s ancient geological past. Dr Arya Director of the Tethys Fossil Museum, has uncovered fossilized tree remains embedded in the **Tethyan Himalayan sediments at Nanak Hill and Magnetic Hill, near the **Pather Sahib Gurudwara** in Ladakh.
Dr. Arya who is a Guinness World Record holder made this groundbreaking discovery while investigating a groundwater site at Nanak Hill, located near the revered Pather Sahib Gurudwara. What began as a routine exploration of the area's water potential transformed into a significant geological find when fossilized wood was discovered in the sedimentary layers of the Tethyan Himalayan sequence, marking the first report of fossil trees in this region.
The fossils, embedded in sandstone beds, are believed to be 15 + millions of years old, dating back to a time when the cold desert landscape of Ladakh was a lush, humid environment. This discovery provides critical evidence of Ladakh’s prehistoric ecosystems, suggesting that the region once experienced equatorial-to-sub-equatorial coastal and shallow marine environmental and climatic conditions, with thriving vegetation and flowing rivers.
Nanak Hill, located near Pather Sahib Gurudwara, holds both spiritual and geological significance. According to local legend Guru Nanak Dev Ji while meditating at the site, miraculously survived an attack when a demon hurled a massive boulder at him. The boulder, now enshrined in the Pather Sahib Gurudwara, forms part of the Ladakh Batholith—a large igneous rock formation created from cooled magma millions of years ago.
Magnetic Hill famous for its gravity-defying optical illusion, has now revealed another layer of wonder—fossilized tree remains Dr. Arya’s findings from these two sites offer a rare glimpse into Ladakh’s ancient ecosystems, where the Tethyan Himalayan sediments were deposited in riverine environments that carried and preserved organic material, eventually turning them into stone through a process called silicification.
This discovery at Nanak Hill and Magnetic Hill is of great significance not only for understanding Ladakh’s geological history but also for geodiversity preservation. The fossilized wood adds to Dr. Arya’s earlier discoveries in Ladakh, including sites at Hemis, Stok and Basgo, which similarly point to a much warmer and more humid past.
Dr. Arya, a passionate advocate for geoheritage preservation, emphasizes the need for protecting these fossil-rich sites and proposes that they be declared Geoheritage Sites of national and international importance. He highlights the importance of conserving these invaluable fossil discoveries at the Tethys Fossil Museum , where they can be studied further and serve as a resource for educating future generations about the region’s ancient past.
On World Geodiversity Day, Dr. Arya urges global awareness of the critical need to protect the world’s rich and diverse geological heritage. The discovery of fossilized trees at Nanak Hill and Magnetic Hill is a timely reminder of the deep geological history embedded in Ladakh’s stunning landscape. Dr. Arya calls for collaboration among scientists, conservationists, and policymakers to preserve these important geo sites for future research and education.
Magnetic Hill is not just famous for its gravity-defying illusion, where cars seem to roll uphill. It is now also a site of ancient wonder, home to fossilized trees that date back millions of years to a time when Ladakh was a lush paradise under equatorial-to-sub-equatorial conditions. For young explorers, visiting Magnetic Hill is like stepping back in time and uncovering a thrilling chapter of Earth’s ancient history!