New Delhi, Nov 27 (UNI) Scientists have uncovered a 37,000-year-old bamboo fossil in Manipur, revealing that thorny bamboo species were growing in Asia even during the Ice Age.
The discovery was made in the silt-filled banks of the Chirang River in Imphal Valley and is being described as one of the rarest finds in Asian botanical research.
A team from the Birbal Sahni Institute of Palaeosciences (BSIP) spotted the fossil during a field visit. What immediately caught their eye was unusual marks on the stem. Later, detailed laboratory tests confirmed these were thorn scars, a feature almost impossible to find in bamboo fossils because the plant normally decomposes quickly and leaves little behind.
The fossil has been named Chimonobambusa manipurensis, placing it in the Chimonobambusa genus. Scientists compared it with living thorny bamboo varieties such as Bambusa bambos to understand its structure and natural defenses. Microscopic images also showed preserved buds and nodes, indicating that the fossil survived in exceptional condition.
According to the researchers, this is the first fossil proof that thorny bamboo existed in Asia during the Ice Age. At that time, the world experienced colder and drier weather which wiped out bamboo from many regions, including Europe. However, Northeast India continued to provide warm and humid conditions, making it a safe zone where bamboo could survive.
The study, published in the journal Review of Palaeobotany and Palynology, highlights how Northeast India served as an important biodiversity refuge during ancient climate extremes. The researchers say the finding offers valuable insights into both bamboo evolution and the climate history of the region.
The work was carried out by H Bhatia, P Kumari, NH Singh and G Srivastava of BSIP. They believe the discovery is significant not only because it is so old, but also because it preserves delicate details like thorn scars — features that almost never fossilize.
