As I’ve mentioned before, I’m from Schoharie County. I was really excited to learn that the
world’s oldest forest was discovered in Gilboa, New York (not far from where I
did my week one Minekill hike!). The
findings make up the cover story in the March 1, 2012 issue of Nature. Through March 31st, the NYS Museum
has a display in the lobby featuring some information on the ancient forest and
a fossil of a 385-million-year-old tree trunk.
Ancient fossils were recovered at the site in the 1920s when
the NYC reservoir system was being built.
In 2010, the Gilboa Dam underwent a series of repairs. The ancient remains were uncovered for two
weeks and scientists had the ability to once again study this magnificent
discovery. It was originally thought
that the ancient forest only included one species of tree, but the latest
findings show that three types of trees grew in this ancient forest. Scientists identified 200 root mounds before
the spot was once again covered with soil and rocks.
Scientists have been able to piece together what the forest
probably looked like. These
illustrations are also displayed at the museum. Located in the lobby, the display is small but
fascinating. Check it out before March
31st!
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| What the forest may have looked like |
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