The Jurassic Era and Telangana's Dinosaur Heritage (c. 208 Million BCE - c. 146 Million BCE)
The Mesozoic Era, often called the 'Age of Reptiles,' spanned from about 252 to 66 million years ago. It is divided into three periods: the Triassic, Jurassic, and Cretaceous. This was long before the appearance of modern humans.
The Breakup of Pangea (~200 Million years ago): Pangea began to rift apart. Gondwana started to separate from Laurasia.
The Breakup of Gondwana (~180-100 Million years ago): Next, the Gondwana slice itself began to break apart into the continents we recognize today.
Geological Evidence
In Telangana, Jurassic rocks mainly appear in the Adilabad, Khammam, and Warangal districts, as part of the Gondwana sedimentary basin and Deccan intertrappeans.
These include sandstones, shales, and limestones deposited in rivers and shallow lakes during the Jurassic.
Key Discoveries in Telangana:
1. Kotasaurus Yamanpalliensis: A significant dinosaur discovery for India was made in the Yamanapalli region of Adilabad district, Telangana. The Geological Survey of India (GSI) unearthed the skeletons of a gigantic plant-eating dinosaur named Kotasaurus yamanpalliensis (named after the village and scientist Dr. Yadagiri).
2. Age and Significance: This dinosaur lived approximately 165 million years ago, during the Lower Jurassic period. It is a type of Sauropod dinosaur—the group known for their enormous size, long necks, and tails.
3. The Excavation: Over 25 years of excavation, the GSI collected nearly 840 skeletal remains from the area. These bones all belonged to about 12 individual Kotasaurus dinosaurs.
4. Exhibition at Birla Science Museum: A composite skeleton of the Kotasaurus was mounted at the Birla Science Centre in Hyderabad in 2000. This skeleton is made of 80% original fossil bone and 20% artificial material constructed to complete the structure. The skull was a gift from the Carnegie Museum of Natural History in the USA.
The Pranahita-Godavari Valley: A Fossil Treasure
The Pranahita-Godavari (P-G) river valley in northern Telangana is a globally significant fossil site. Apart from Kotasaurus, scientists have found fossils of:
- Other reptiles (like Rhynchosaurs)
- Ancient fish
- Early micromammals
- Plant fossils and petrified wood
- Dinosaur eggs
Importance and Future Potential:
This valley has immense potential for further paleontological discoveries. Fossils are often exposed due to soil erosion and floods. Scientists and experts have recommended that:
- More systematic excavations should be undertaken.
- The area should be protected and developed as a Fossil Eco-Park or Paleo-Park to preserve this unique heritage and educate the public.
This makes Telangana, and particularly the Adilabad region, a crucial area for understanding India's prehistoric life.
