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Context

• Petrification is the process in which organic matter is replaced by minerals. It turns the original into stone.

Discovery of petrified fossil

• Recently, Geologists & forest officials discovered a rare & well-preserved petrified fossil at Rajmahal Hills, Jharkhand.
• These fossils obtained from Rajmahal Hills are parts of teak wood.

Process of Petrification

• The process of petrification occurs when organic matter is replaced with minerals. And this process also turns the original matter into stone.
• This process can occur in both hard & soft tissues.

How does it happen?

• Petrification is a type of fossilisation that happens when organic matter is buried under sediment & exposed to mineral rich water for a long time.
• This process of petrification fills the pores of tissues with minerals then dissolve the organic matter and then it replaces it with the minerals.
• Petrified wood is an example of petrification.
• Petrification can happen in all organisms, from bacteria to vertebrates.

Importance of Petrification

• Petrification results in well preserved fossils. It also provides valuable information about ancient life forms and environments.

About Rajmahal Hills

• The Rajmahal Hills are situated in the Santhal Pargana division of Jharkhand.
• These hills were formed by volcanic activity during the Jurassic period.
• And these volcanic activities made the Rajmahal Traps.
• They are also known for their rich deposits of plant fossils.
• Some of them dates back millions of years.
• Indigenous tribal communities live there.
• And Sauria Paharia people resides in the higher elevations. However Santhal people lives in the valleys.

Source: TOI