Woods of a Miocene Petrified Forest near Ankara, Turkey

Authors: ÜNAL AKKEMİK, NECLA TÜRKOĞLU, IMOGEN POOLE, İHSAN ÇİÇEK, NESİBE KÖSE, GÜRCAN GÜRGEN

Abstract: The taxonomic composition of a recently discovered silicified fossil forest, preserved by volcanic activity 18.2-16.9 million years ago in Çamlıdere near Ankara (Turkey), is investigated. Many samples collected were divided into 2 groups as CAM1 and CAM2. Thin sections from transversal, radial, and tangential directions were cut to identify the woods. Wood identifications were performed using standard techniques and fossil wood features. The preserved wood indicates that the forest was composed almost exclusively of Taxodium (CAM1) and Sequoia (CAM2). These genera were extinct from Anatolia and Europe during late Miocene.

Keywords: Fossil forest, Taxodium, Sequoia, palaeobotany, Miocene, Çamlıdere

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