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Edappadi K Palaniswami opens underground fossil museum in Ariyalur

Chennai: Chief minister Edappadi K Palaniswami on Friday inaugurated a fossil museum at Varanavasi near Ariyalur . Constructed at a cost of Rs 2 crore, the museum showcases rock formations which prove that dinosaurs and other reptiles lived in the region millions of years ago.

The museum displays fossils, rocks and minerals from the pre-Cambrian, Jurassic and Cretaceous periods.

It also showcases rocks of marine origins dating back several million years. Former chief minister J Jayalalithaa had announced in 2012 about setting up such a museum while addressing a conference of collectors.

The state Archaeological department set up the museum which has a large repository of fossils in the region. About 48.84 hectares were earmarked for exploring the fossil deposits. “Ammonites from the Cretaceous period are displayed. They are found in plenty in Ariyalur and many of the shells found in the area are calcium-rich,” the official said.

The museum displays exhibits on petrology, volcanic eruption, geomorphology and land folding, among others. From the first floor, visitors can view a dinosaur-like structure below.

The richness of Ariyalur’s antiquity is well known, after fossilised dinosaur eggs were found on the Cauvery riverbed in the region years ago. “In view of the large number of fossils found in Ariyalur, the government decided to set up the on-site museum at Keelapazhur to preserve and conserve fossils. Not only will the museum help preserve fossils, it will also help in teaching the younger generation about pre-historic archaeology and evolution,” said the official.

Several fossils were found at many places in Ariyalur during mining work undertaken by cement factories that operate in large numbers in the district. Ammonites were found widely in Ariyalur district.

The official said the museum would stand out as a model for showcasing history of life on earth. Since it was one of the few museums dedicated to fossils globally, the government would take steps to put it on the world tourism map and would strive to bring in international tourists and geologists, the official added.

Meanwhile, Palaniswami also inaugurated other pending projects. At the Egmore museum, infrastructure has been upgraded at a cost of Rs 1.03 crore.

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