Stone-cutter discovers 60 million-year-old leaf imprint

Shillong, May 31 (UNI) A ''leaf imprint'' has been discovered in the coal-rich district of Jaintia Hills, which could help researchers know more about the plant species that existed on earth 50 to 60 million years ago.

The leaf imprint was first noticed by a stonecutter, Das Lamo, while cutting rocks at Umsatai village in the district on May 29.

The fossil, measuring about 4x6 inches in size, has been found in one of the pieces of rock that was broken away from a big rock.

''The fossil, a leaf imprint, will help scientists and researchers do further research on the types of plants that existed on earth millions of years ago. This could also lead to fresh findings on the Stone Age,'' a geologist said.

He added that said the leaf imprint might have remained inside the rock for 50 to 60 million years.

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