Renowned Geologist and Guinness World Record Holder Discovers Significant Fossils in Burtse, Ladakh

Renowned Geologist and Guinness World Record Holder Discovers Significant Fossils in Burtse, Ladakh
Ladakh: Dr. Ritesh Arya, a distinguished geologist, Guinness World Record holder, and founder of the Tethys Fossil Museum, has made a groundbreaking discovery while conducting groundwater exploration in the rugged terrain of Burtse, situated in the picturesque eastern part of Ladakh region. This location holds historical significance as a renowned spot along the Old Silk Route in the Karakorm range.

His findings shed light on the geological history of the area and provide valuable insights into the ancient paleo environment.During his expeditions, Dr. Arya unearthed an impressive collection of marine fossils,
including gastropods (snail-like mollusks), bivalves (shellfish), and foraminifera (mostly microscopic organisms but here they are upto 2cms ). The gastropods and bivalves serve as crucial biostratigraphic markers, while the foraminifera fossils act as age indicators, enabling the dating of these remarkable remnants of the past.

These exceptionally well-preserved fossils, which indicate a thriving marine environment at the time of deposition, are likely the first reported findings from this formation located at an altitude of 16,000 feet above mean sea level. Their presence at such heights highlights the immense tectonic forces that lifted these sediments from a near-coastal marine environment to these extraordinary elevations. The intricate folding and faulting of the region provide a glimpse into the magnitude of the geological forces that uplifted the diverse marine life that flourished millions of years ago, raising them from ocean depths to the heights where they are preserved today. Notably, during this time, the massive Ladakh batholith, which currently separates the two formations—Subathu at around 2000 meters in Himachal Pradesh and Burtse at approximately 5000 meters in the eastern part of Ladakh—remained  within the womb of Mother Earth and had not yet emerged.

The limestone formations found north of the Shyok suture or Shyok granite region showcase an extraordinary fossiliferous nature, boasting an astounding abundance of fossils. Dr. Arya’s discovery adds a new dimension to our understanding of the region’s geology.

Preliminary investigations suggest that these fossils morphologically resemble those of Turritellatids (gastropod) and Assilina (foraminifera), similar to fossils found in the Subathu Formation in Himachal Pradesh. These have been dated to the Eocene epoch, approximately around 56 to 33.9 million years ago. These ancient remnants also provide clear evidence of the existence of the Tethys Sea at that time—an intriguing revelation that connects India and Tibet through the waves of Tethys,
showcasing a unique paleoenvironmental connection.

“The significance of these fossils cannot be overstated,” says Dr. Ritesh Arya. “They offer a remarkable window into the past, allowing us to reconstruct the paleo environment of the region and enhance our understanding of the geological forces and interactions that shaped our planet, especially in timing the collision of India and Tibet leading to the closure of Tethys and the birth of the Himalayas. This discovery
provides crucial data to further unravel the mysteries of Earth’s history during the Eocene epoch ranging from 56 to 33.9 million years—a time when the mighty Tethys ocean spanned the region.”

Dr. Arya’s groundbreaking findings have already sparked incredible interest among the scientific community. Scholars, paleontologists, and geologists worldwide eagerly await further studies and in-depth analysis of these fossils, as they have the potential to rewrite our understanding of the geological and paleo-environmental dynamics of the region. Dr. KP Juyal, a veteran geologist from the Wadia Institute of Himalayan Geology with extensive work in Eastern Ladakh, noted that the pictures of
gastropods reveal exceptional fossil preservation. He highlighted the striking similarity between these fossils and the Turritellatids species T. rakhiensis and T. subathuensis from the Subathu Formation. After seeing photographs of the specimens from Burtse, Dr. O. N. Bhargava, Honorary Professor at CAS in Geology, Panjab University Chandigarh, and recipient of the Lifetime Achievement Award from the Ministry of Mines, Government of India, alluded to some resemblance with Assilina spira abrardi of lower Lutetian known from the Subathu Formation.

Prof. Ashok Sahni, Emeritus Professor, highlighted the rarity of these well-preserved specimens in the fragile environment of the high altitude cold mountain desert of Ladakh and hailed these discoveries as critically important and insightful revelations contributing to our understanding of the timing and process of the India-Tibet collision.

Dr. Arya, also the founder of the Tethys Fossil Museum, has dedicated his efforts to the preservation and study of these remarkable fossils. The collected specimens will find their home in the museum located at Dangyaari in Kasauli Tehsil of Himachal Pradesh. They will be made available for research, providing scientists and researchers with an invaluable opportunity to unlock further secrets of Earth’s distant
past.

With his relentless pursuit of scientific excellence and remarkable achievements, Dr. Ritesh Arya continues to make significant contributions to the field of geology. His exceptional discoveries in Burtse, Ladakh, will undoubtedly leave a lasting impact on our understanding of Earth’s intriguing history, especially shedding light on life during the Tethyan times—a period when India had not yet collided with Tibet, and
the majestic Himalayas were not born.