The Nature Research Centre (NRC) received a unique find from the Karpėnai limestone quarry (north-western Lithuania). This is possibly the largest piece of Jurassic wood ever found in Lithuania. It was found and presented to the NRC by Algirdas Rimkus, director of AB Kalcitas and honorary member of the Geological Society of Lithuania.
Description of the find: Papilė suite, Kelovė stage (lower), Middle Jurassic, 166–163 million years old. It probably belongs to conifers or ginkgoes.
During the Jurassic period, the territory of Lithuania was almost entirely covered by sea lagoons, and finding land plants or animals from that period is an exceptional event. This tree find is important evidence that there were areas of land where rivers flowed, vegetation flourished, and most likely reptiles and birds lived, although we still have no real evidence of their existence.
This find will be examined, preserved, and exhibited. If you are interested in this rare exhibit, please contact the NRC Collections Department.
Indrė Satkūnienė
NRC Collections Department
