The specimen, 1.30 meters long and 55 centimeters in diameter, is believed to be a petrified tree-like plant from thousands of years ago. It was found in sediments corresponding to the “El Palmar” geological formation, linked to ancient deposits of the Uruguay River.
The operation was carried out through a joint effort between the Undersecretariat of Tourism, through the Museum Coordination, the San Carlos Park, and the Museum of Anthropology and Natural Sciences, together with the National Gendarmerie, to ensure the transport of the piece and advance its preservation and study.
Some time ago, San Carlos Park staff found a buried specimen that could correspond to a petrified plant fossil. It is a fossil plant of tree-like habit, found in sediments of the “El Palmar” geological formation, linked to ancient deposits of the Uruguay River.
The piece is 1.30 meters long and 55 centimeters in diameter. The various datings performed on this geological formation establish an age of between 80,000 and 173,000 years, so the specimen could be even older. The geological and paleobotanical background of the region indicates that, during that period, there were warm and humid environmental conditions, with tropical or subtropical characteristics, favorable for the development of this type of vegetation.
Due to its high degree of preservation and the visible presence of the bark, preliminary studies indicate that it could be a native specimen of the region. The discovery represents a new contribution to the knowledge and preservation of the natural heritage of Concordia.
Following this discovery, the possibility of creating a Paleobotany Room at the Museum of Anthropology and Natural Sciences is also being analyzed, where different fossil specimens from the region can be exhibited and this heritage can be brought closer to residents, visitors, and tourists.
The operation was carried out through a joint effort between the Undersecretariat of Tourism, through the Museum Coordination, the San Carlos Park, and the Museum of Anthropology and Natural Sciences, together with the National Gendarmerie, to ensure the transport of the piece and advance its preservation and study.
Some time ago, San Carlos Park staff found a buried specimen that could correspond to a petrified plant fossil. It is a fossil plant of tree-like habit, found in sediments of the “El Palmar” geological formation, linked to ancient deposits of the Uruguay River.
The piece is 1.30 meters long and 55 centimeters in diameter. The various datings performed on this geological formation establish an age of between 80,000 and 173,000 years, so the specimen could be even older. The geological and paleobotanical background of the region indicates that, during that period, there were warm and humid environmental conditions, with tropical or subtropical characteristics, favorable for the development of this type of vegetation.
Due to its high degree of preservation and the visible presence of the bark, preliminary studies indicate that it could be a native specimen of the region. The discovery represents a new contribution to the knowledge and preservation of the natural heritage of Concordia.
Following this discovery, the possibility of creating a Paleobotany Room at the Museum of Anthropology and Natural Sciences is also being analyzed, where different fossil specimens from the region can be exhibited and this heritage can be brought closer to residents, visitors, and tourists.