Experts from the Natural History Museum of the Lesvos Petrified Forest began work to preserve and showcase a massive fossilized tree trunk. The specimen was unearthed during excavations for the new Kalloni-Sigri highway. Supported by the Ministry of Culture, this ongoing project is transforming Western Lesvos into a sprawling open-air fossil museum.
“This trunk captured global attention because of its extraordinary preservation,” Museum Director Professor Nickolas Zouros told AMNA. “Its branches remained intact within the volcanic pyroclastic materials that buried the tree 18 million years ago.”
Originally discovered in December 2020 during rescue excavations, the find is exceptionally rare; it is the first time a tree has been found with its branches attached since excavations began in 1995.
Between 2018 and 2024, rescue efforts along the protected Antissa-Sigri corridor have uncovered 15 new fossil sites, providing vital pieces to the puzzle of the subtropical forest that once covered Lesvos before cataclysmic volcanic eruptions reshaped the landscape.
Petrified tree is a member of the oak family
According to Professor Zouros, this fruit-bearing tree (a member of the oak family) was knocked down by the sheer force of an eruption and instantly covered by a thick layer of fine volcanic ash.
This ash preserved not only the trunk but also the roots, branches, and surrounding leaves in their original growth position. Furthermore, the trunk’s orientation suggests the influence of a second major volcano near Mesotopos, alongside the well-known Vatoussa volcano.
To ensure its safety, the specimen was reinforced with a specialized splint and a metal grid, allowing it to be moved to a newly constructed display plaza nearby. The Museum’s technical team—now a global leader in fossil conservation—is currently performing restoration work and installing a permanent shelter to protect this 18-million-year-old marvel for future generations.
Related: New Petrified Forest Uncovered on Evia, Greece
