Student Was On A Field Trip To A Coal Mine When He Unearthed Signs Of A Wild Ancient Creature

Tucked away in northern Colombia, the Cerrejón coal mine is a vital part of the nation’s economy. After all, this pit pumps out a whopping 30 million tons of coal every year! But what many people don’t realize, though, is that it has also proved to be a crucial historical site, rich in ancient fossils that describe a world that existed over 60 million years ago. During a field trip to Cerrejón, one local university student stumbled upon several jaw-dropping artifacts, including a colossal-sized ancient creature that archaeologists didn’t even know existed...

A mine like any other?

On the surface, the Cerrejón facility seems to be a coal mine like any other. In fact, its arid landscape and lack of vegetation and wildlife arguably make it a bit of an eyesore. What most people don’t realize, though, is that beneath Cerrejón’s sandy surface lies an unknown ancient world just waiting to be uncovered.

A scientist's paradise

Located just 60 miles from the Caribbean coast in northern Colombia, this area was once a tropical rainforest in prehistoric times. What’s more, there’s plenty to explore: with a surface area larger than that of Washington D.C., there’s plenty of land to excavate at Cerrejón in the search for historical treasures. Naturally, commercial mining activities in the area have been the main driver behind such discoveries.

An ancient treasure trove

Seeing as the Cerrejón coal mine spans such a large area, it comes as no surprise that a variety of precious ancient artifacts have been uncovered here, particularly animal fossils. In fact, the mining company itself was aware of the area’s palaeontological riches after a few unique first-hand experiences.

The adventure begins

Back in 1990, a geologist named Henry Garcia stumbled upon a fossil lying in one of the pits. Unsure of its identity, Garcia called it the “petrified branch” due to its appearance. He housed the stone artifact in a display case at the site office, and, soon enough, it was forgotten — that is, until another historical expert realized its significance years later.