Sinthan Top in Anantnag can emerge as significant fossil site

Anantnag, Nov 10: The famous tourist destination, Sinthan Top, located in south Kashmir’s Anantnag district, can emerge as a significant fossil site.

Situated 50 km from Anantnag along the Daksum-Sinthan route, this potential discovery was made by three local educators - Dr Rouf Hamza, Manzoor Javaid, and Muhammad Yousuf Ganai.

The three, hailing from Anantnag and Kulgam districts, are members of the JK Science Communicators Network, dedicated to popularising science through hands-on activities.

Experts suggest that the site, rich in fossil diversity, could date back 300 to 400 million years.

However, precise dating can only be confirmed through radiocarbon analysis.

"We identified four large fossil sites during our exploration from Daksum to Sinthan Top," said Dr Hamza, who holds a doctorate in Botany.

"Our preliminary research indicates that this could be among the oldest fossil sites in the region.

He emphasised the significance of the site in terms of its area, fossil quantity, and diversity.

According to Manzoor Javaid, a postgraduate in Environmental Sciences, the fossils became exposed due to the weathering of metamorphic rocks and road expansion work.

“Preliminary observations suggest that the fossils belong to the Paleozoic era. Thousands of fossils are visible on the surface without any need for excavation, indicating a substantial fossil deposit underneath,” he said.

The fossils found include specimens of Bryozoa (such as Fenestella and Fenestrellina), Ostracods, Brachiopods, and some plant fossils.

Manzoor said that further research is needed to identify additional fossil flora and fauna.

Muhammad Yousuf Ganai, a postgraduate in Botany, urged the government to protect these sites for scientific research, geo-tourism, and educational field visits.

"We need a dedicated Palaeontology Department at the college and university level," he said.

However, Mohsin Noor, a senior geologist at the Department of Geology and Mining, said that fossils around the same area had been already reported during geo-sampling.

"The samples are preserved in a museum in Budgam," he said. “The fossils occasionally become exposed due to natural and human activities.”

A senior official in the Department of Archives, Archaeology, and Museums recommended that the samples be sent to the Bhabha Atomic Research Centre (BARC) for further investigation.

“We cannot confirm the exact age of these fossils without proper analysis and carbon dating,” the official said. “However, these findings appear to be among the most significant in Jammu and Kashmir in terms of fossil occurrence, diversity, and potential age.”

The official also observed that the site’s surface exposure of thousands of fossils suggests a larger deposit beneath.

“Excavating the potential areas could unveil a remarkable fossil record, offering valuable insights to the scientific community,” he said.

Traditionally, most fossil sites have been discovered by foreign researchers or professionals.

However, these amateur fossil hunters have already identified 13 sites across South Kashmir, including one believed to be the oldest at Aharbal in Kulgam.

Presently, the Zewan area on the outskirts of Srinagar is considered the oldest fossil site in Kashmir.