Mountainous area in eastern Turkey used to be a beach, fossils reveal
Fossils discovered by a nature enthusiast in mountainous eastern province of Iğdır revealed that the area, now completely landlocked, used to be a shore and underwater. The fossils contained palm leaves, which grow in hot areas by the water.
Duvar English
Fossils discovered by a nature enthusiast in eastern Iğdır, now landlocked, revealed that one of the country's highest regions was in fact underwater in ancient times.
![](https://www.duvarenglish.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/landscape.jpg)
The fossils were determined by Erzurum Atatürk University to be leaves from a palm tree, which grow in hot places by the beach.
![](https://www.duvarenglish.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/yakindan.jpg)
The fossils were part of boulders that fell down from the top of a mountain in Alhanlı village.
Erzurum Atatürk University biodiversity expert Prof. Levent Gültekin noted that Aras Valley, where the fossils were found, is rich in biodiversity.
![](https://www.duvarenglish.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/limestone.jpg)
"About 23 to 55 million years ago, the districts of Iğdır were on the beach," Gültekin said.
![](https://www.duvarenglish.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/adam.jpg)
The professor said that no palm trees are found in the area today.
Dr. Belkıs Muca Yiğit also noted that there are marine remains in the area.