18 kms from Jaisalmer is the Akal wood fossils which is about 180 million years of age. Sea shells and massive fossilized tree trunks in this park record the geological history of the desert. The whole area is now preserved for posterity as a natural wonder. The area of wood fossil Park, Akal is 21 hectare. It is 15 kilometer form Jaisalmer on the Jaisalmer Barmer road. The fossilized wood logs are lying prostrate in random orientation. 25 wood logs are visible on the surface of which 10 are well exposed. The largest exposed log is 7 m. in length and 1.5 m.in. width. There are more wood fossils lying deep under the surface. Evidence of similar fossils are surfacing in many other areas in Jaisalmer region. Wood fossils of Akal are an example where the process of petrification took precedence over disintegration of organic matter and fossilized the wood. The fossilization took place about 180 million years ago, and the whole forest composed of huge trees was petrified. In that geological era there were only non flowering trees. Therefore the wood fossils are considered to represent gymnosperms like Chir, Deodar or Red wood of lower Jurassic age. The presence of gigantic trees suggest that the land that is desert today had a different hot and humid climate which supported a luxuriant forest. These tree trunks were buried in sediments in a horizontal form and petrified. Subsequent geological activities caused shifting and upheaval of the sandy basin bringing these fossils to the surface. These now stand exposed in the present form due to weathering by wind and erosion by water. There are large number of petrified logs and innumerable pieces of woods scattered on the surface in the area and evidence of fruits have also been discovered. Visiting Time of Akal Fossil Park
Daily: Nov-Feb (8 AM - 5 PM) , March-Oct (8 AM - 6 PM) |
