15-Million-Year-Old Shark Fossils Found in Odisha Reveal Ancient Marine Past

A significant paleontological discovery has been made in Odisha's Mayurbhanj district near Baripada. During an educational field visit, a team from North Odisha University's Department of Remote Sensing and GIS uncovered fossils approximately 15 million years old, including shark teeth and vertebral remains.

Assistant Professor Dr. Debabrat Nandi led the team that initially spotted what appeared to be fossil fragments. Local residents had traditionally referred to such remains as "asur hadda" (demon bones). Subsequent investigation yielded microscopic shark teeth, shark vertebrae, and other organism fossils. Scientists believe these specimens date to the Miocene period, roughly 23 to 5.3 million years ago. The findings provide strong evidence that portions of Odisha were submerged underwater during ancient times.