Have you ever come across news about the oldest forest ever uncovered? Recently, researchers from the Universities of Cambridge and Cardiff made an exciting discovery in England—a fossilized forest dating back 390 million years, nestled along striking sandstone cliffs.
This remarkable ancient forest, unlike anything we see today, is the subject of a recent publication in the Journal of Geological Study. The trees, which resemble towering 13-foot thistles, are recognized as some of the earliest species to inhabit our planet. One intriguing characteristic of these trees, known as Calamophyton, is their hollow trunks, formed by multiple smaller strands that resemble trunks themselves. As these trees matured, their trunks would eventually split apart, creating a unique growth pattern.
Professor Neil Davies from Cambridge Earth Sciences described this ancient forest as “pretty strange” when compared to contemporary woodlands. Unlike today’s forests, it had no underbrush or grassy areas; instead, the landscape was filled with closely packed trees that shed twigs, significantly influencing the surrounding environment.
The fossilized forest was located in South West England, particularly in the counties of Devon and Somerset. The remains, including logs, branches, and stumps, offer valuable insights into the Devonian Period, a pivotal era in Earth’s history marked by the emergence of the first land animals and seed-producing plants.
This discovery illuminates the role of these primitive forests in shaping the land, as the branches of these trees contributed to sediment buildup and altered the paths of ancient rivers. Davies highlighted how significant the Devonian period was for Earth’s ecosystems and noted that much remains unknown about these early forests.
This extraordinary find provides a fascinating glimpse into our planet’s history and underscores the importance of understanding how ancient forests have played a crucial role in shaping the Earth we know today.
