Hyderabad: BM Birla Science Centre unveils magnificent 7-foot Stegodon tusks, other ancient wonders

BM Birla Science Centre in Hyderabad has inaugurated the Singareni Pavilion, featuring 7-foot Stegodon Elephant tusks, petrified wood, and geological samples from the region. Discovered by SCCL, the exhibit offers a fascinating glimpse into millions of years of Earth’s history

Hyderabad: Step into the BM Birla Science Centre and get transported to millions of years back when giants roamed the land. And the best relic here at the newly opened pavilion is the spectacular seven-foot-long tusks of an extinct Stegodon Elephant.

These are the tusks that most have seen as illustrations accompanying information on species that walked the earth very long ago and went extinct. Here at the science centre, one can now view the meticulously calibrated and assembled Stegodon tusks, which belonged to a genus believed to have existed from 11 million years ago to as recently as 6,000 years ago.

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These tusks were discovered in pieces at the Medapalli Open Cast Mine, Ramagundam, by the Singareni Collieries Company Limited (SCCL) exploration team and meticulously assembled for display, the science centre said.

The Singareni Pavilion also features an extensive display of petrified wood, illustrating the ancient environment and the slow, complex process of fossilisation. The gallery, which showcases incredible paleontological and geological finds made possible through collaboration with the SCCL, was formally opened to the public on Saturday.

The inauguration of the pavilion was attended by SCCL Chairman and Managing Director N Balram, and GP Birla Archaeological Astronomical and Scientific Research Institute Chairperson Nirmala Birla welcomed the new addition, emphasising its educational value.

The gallery also features geological samples of coal and shale from the Singareni region, notable inclusion being a sample of volcanic ash collected from the bank of Murreru river (a tributary of Godavari) at Sampathnagar in Bhadradri-Kothagudem.