Fossil Stolen from Meghalaya Village was Over 40-Million Year Old Teeth of Anscestor of the Whale
First Published: 1st February, 2025 11:26 IST
Villagers in Tolegre, in south garo hills, found parts of the Fossil's jaw and teeth missing on January 27th.
The police in Meghalaya are gearing up to gather statements from villagers after treasure hunters or ordinary thieves had dug into an ancient cave and decamped with fossil parts dating back to millions of years ago.
The stolen fossil which was part of the teeth of what is believed to be a species that could be an ancestor of the Whale could have proved to be a key evidence to determine whether the Northeast was a vast sheet of ocean some 40 million years ago.
Villagers in Tolegre, in south garo hills, found parts of the Fossil’s jaw and teeth missing on January 27th.
The fossil was discovered a year ago by the Core Geo Expeditions, a non-profit group, in a cave following which a team from the Geological Survey of India visited thecsite. The locals swiftly took charge of the find and had even asked the district authorities not to visit the site.
The theft of this rare of the rarest pre-historic fossil of the Whale ancestor has raised questions whether a treasure hunt syndicate with global linkages or locals could be behind the intrusion into the cave.
Top Meghalaya police sources said the investigation is at a preliminary stage and that local villagers in Gongdap and its vicinity will be asked to submit their statements.
Meghalaya Chief Minister Conrad Sangma too has expressed concern over the incident and described it as unfortunate. The chief minister said it was difficult for the authorities to take control of the stretch of land because it was owned by the Nokma clan of the Garos who have the ownership rights.
The big question now is will the Meghalaya police be able to solve the biggest scientific heist that has taken place.
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