Yen Bai discovers fossils over 5 million years old

Yen Bai discovered fossils belonging to the Co Phuc formation, which existed 23 to 5 million years ago, exposed in Tran Yen and Van Yen districts (Yen Bai).

Fossilized leaves were found (Photo: THANH SON).

Mr. Hoang Tien Long, Director of Yen Bai Provincial Museum, said that on May 24, Yen Bai Museum coordinated with the Geological Museum to conduct archaeological work in Minh Long area, Tuy Loc commune, Yen Bai city. Thereby, many fossil artifacts dating from 23 to 5 million years were discovered.

Staff of Yen Bai Provincial Museum exchange professional knowledge at the scene where the fossil was found (Photo: THANH SON).

The fossils have a visible exposed layer, as the area was previously excavated for brick making many years ago.

Mr. Truong Quang Quy, Deputy Director of the Center for Geological Information, Archives and Museums, assessed that the above fossils belong to the Co Phuc formation, which existed 23 to 5 million years ago, and were exposed in Tran Yen and Van Yen districts (Yen Bai).

Mr. Truong Quang Quy, Geological Museum in front of the found artifact (Photo: THANH SON).

Neogene formations classified in this formation are distributed only along both banks of the Red River. They lie unconformably on Devonian sediments and are covered by Quaternary sediments.

The fossils found were leaves, mollusks and many other artifacts.

Fossilized mussels were discovered (Photo: THANH SON).

Currently, Yen Bai Provincial Museum is carrying out necessary procedures to delimit the protection area and develop a plan to expand the search, in order to contribute to archaeological work in the coming time.