A team from the environment ministry excavate a fossilised tree after it was discovered in a protected area in Preah Vihear province in 2024. Environment ministry
Experts from the Ministry of Environment and their international partners have discovered 67 fossil sites in 13 provinces since 2019, with plans to conduct further in-depth studies on some of the fossils.
On Friday, February 28, the ministry shared that the Department of Heritage Sites, under the General Directorate of Local Communities, began fossil research in 2019 and has since identified 67 fossil sites.
Among the discoveries were the fossils of 46 marine species, 2 freshwater animals, 14 petrified timber pieces and one dinosaur bone (the first ever discovered in Cambodia), as well as one fossilised leaf and three fossilised animal footprints.
The fossils have been dated as being between two and 359 million years old. They were discovered in Preah Vihear, Banteay Meanchey, Mondulkiri, Ratanakkiri, Stung Treng, Battambang, Koh Kong, Pursat, Siem Reap, Oddar Meanchey, Kratie, Pailin and Kampot provinces.
Among the largest activities were a 2019-20 excavation in Ratanakkiri’s Lumphat Wildlife Sanctuary, which uncovered petrified timber fossils, the 2022 discovery of a dinosaur bone in Koh Kong’s Tatai Wildlife Sanctuary and the excavation of marine life fossils in Banteay Meanchey’s Phnom Bak Natural Heritage Site, during a 2021-23 dig.
Last year, a 3.5-metre fossilised tree trunk – surrounded by multiple branches – was uncovered in Preah Vihear’s Phnom Tbeng Natural Heritage Site, concealed within a layer of sedimentary rock.
Ministry specialists are planning to conduct further studies on fossils found in protected natural areas in Kampot and Koh Kong Provinces. These efforts aim to study Cambodia’s southern paleo-environment and collect fossil samples.
Seng Sot, deputy director-general of the local communities directorate, is leading discussions with experts, researchers and partner organisations to identify and classify the fossils and conduct stratigraphic studies.
The research will be carried out by the natural heritage department, with support from UNESCO through the Cambodian National Commission for UNESCO.
The study aims to publicise new fossil discoveries, promote the Kingdom’s natural resources, encourage stakeholder engagement and enhance the capabilities of researchers in this field.
The environment ministry of has integrated fossil studies into its 2023–2028 environmental strategic plan, which focuses on clean, green and sustainable development.
Fossil research is a key part of its scientific initiatives.
