In December 2023, a fascinating discovery was made in a Madhya Pradesh, India village. Stones that had been worshipped by the villagers for generations turned out to be fossilized dinosaur eggs! This incredible find sheds light on the region’s ancient past and the enduring cultural traditions of its people.
In a surprising discovery, stones revered by generations of Indian farmers in Padlya village, Madhya Pradesh. They have been identified as fossilized dinosaur eggs. The roughly palm-sized balls, known as Kankar Bhairav or stone Shiva, were believed to be guardians of the land and livestock. However, a recent examination by scientists, including Mahesh Thakkar from the Birbal Sahni Institute of Paleosciences, unveiled that one of these stones is the egg of a titanosaur, one of Earth’s largest dinosaurs. Further analysis confirmed suspicions that these were indeed the eggs of titanosaurs, some of the largest dinosaurs that ever walked the Earth. The creature that roamed the Narmada Valley over 175 million years ago.
The farmers, following a tradition dating back years, had been worshipping these stones. They place them at the root of fig trees in open fields. The stones, believed to have protective properties, were even walked over by farm animals during an annual ritual near Diwali.
A Moment Of Surprise
For the villagers, it was a moment of profound realization. The stones they had worshipped for generations, carrying stories and prayers whispered down through time. They were not just inanimate objects but tangible connections to a prehistoric past.
The region, specifically the Narmada Valley, has long been rich in dinosaur fossils due to volcanic activity around 65 million years ago. Local tribes’ reverence for these stones was crucial in preserving the fossils. The recent finding of the titanosaur egg adds to the numerous discoveries. It includes bones, teeth, and claws, made since the 19th century.
Vishal Verma is an amateur paleontologist and high school physics teacher. He expressed hope that a geological park was planned with the help of Thakkar’s team and the Madhya Pradesh government’s Ecotourism Department. He will showcase both the dinosaur eggs and the ancient traditions of the local people. The park aims to preserve and highlight the unique heritage of the region, where dinosaurs once roamed over 145 million years ago.
