5 Crore-Year-Old Fossil Found at Madhira Temple

Archaeologist Dr. Sivanagi Reddy identified it as petrified wood

is being sent to the Hyderabad lab for extensive examination

An extremely rare and ancient fossil, estimated to be around 50 million years old, has been discovered on the premises of the Ramalayam (Rama temple) near the railway station in Madhira. Renowned archaeologist Dr. Emani Sivanagi Reddy identified the stone, which is believed to be petrified wood (Daru Shilajam).

The discovery was made on Sunday during a visit by Dr. Sivanagi Reddy, who is a prominent Vastu consultant, CEO of the Amaravati Buddha Vihara, and former Chief Advisor for the Telangana State Nagarjuna Buddha Vanam project. He was invited by the temple’s Reconstruction Committee, recently formed by railway officials and town dignitaries, to provide advice and suggestions for the reconstruction of the ancient Ramalayam.

During his inspection, Dr. Sivanagi Reddy examined an old rock that had been unearthed. Upon scrutinising the stone, he identified it as an ancient fossil, dating back approximately 5 crore years. He stated that it is known as petrified wood. Given its immense antiquity and historical value, the temple Reconstruction Committee, alongside the archaeologist, was astonished by the finding. Dr. Sivanagi Reddy announced that the fossil would be sent to a Hyderabad lab for extensive and detailed analysis. Prominent town members, including Kona Janardhan Rao, Malladi Vasu, Suramsetti Kishore, Miriyala Ramana Gupta, Patibandla Satyam Babu, Katikala Sitaram Reddy, Karnati Ramarao, and Bhanu Prakash, were present during the examination.

How Fossils Form

Fossils are the preserved remains or traces of ancient organisms plants, animals, and microbes—typically found embedded in sedimentary rock. The process of fossilisation is rare, requiring a specific set of circumstances to occur. For an organism to become a fossil, its remains must be buried quickly by sediment (like mud, sand, or silt) soon after death. This rapid burial prevents decomposition, scavenging, and weathering. Organisms with hard parts like bones, shells, and wood are much more likely to be preserved than those with soft tissues.

The most common way fossils form is through permineralisation. Here, water rich in dissolved minerals seeps into the porous tissues (like bone or wood). As the water evaporates or moves away, the minerals crystallise and fill the empty spaces within the original tissue. Over millions of years, the original material is replaced by these minerals, turning the remains into rock while preserving the organism’s original structure. Other types of fossil formation include moulds and casts, where the original remains dissolve, leaving an imprint (mould) which is later filled by new minerals (cast), and compression, where the organism is flattened and a carbon imprint is left in the rock (often seen in plant fossils).

Anand Gantela

Deputy Editor, Prime Post

With an illustrious career spanning 29 years in the dynamic field of journalism, Anand Gantela is a seasoned professional who has made significant contributions to both print and electronic media. His wealth of experience reflects a deep understanding of the ever-evolving landscape of news reporting.